n The cricket season has got under way
the 2nd and 3rd Xis at Swanage CC
n Gardens around Dorset are opening for the National Garden Scheme next month
Beach wins Blue Flag for 25th year
SWANAGE Beach will fly the Blue Flag – the trusted ecoaward – for the 25th year running this summer.
It was recognised by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy when it announced the winners of its Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for summer 2026.
Councillor Mike Bonfield, chair of Swanage Town Council’s tourism and local economy committee, said: “We are so proud that Swanage has been awarded the Blue Flag Award for the 25th consecutive year.
“The application process for this is challenging but it clearly shows that we have a clean and
safe beach that strives to meet the needs of the wide range of residents and visitors who use our beach throughout the summer.
“The weekly water testing shows that the water quality is ‘excellent’, and the beach cleaning regime and customer facilities ensure that Swanage Beach remains a fantastic and safe place for everyone to visit.”
The Blue Flag Award assures visitors that a bathing beach or marina is committed to offering sustainable tourism and environmental education.
The Seaside Award recognises a high-quality, well-managed and clean environment.
Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive Allison OgdenNewton OBE said: “England is fortunate to boast some of the world’s finest beaches, and it’s encouraging to see this reflected in the award to Swanage signalling its high standards to all who visit or live nearby.
“Everybody involved in these achievements should feel proud of their ongoing work to care for and enhance these important local blue spaces.”
The Blue Flag and Seaside Awards aim to raise standards across England’s coastline and inland waters, while highlighting the country’s top beaches.
The awards guarantee that beaches are a safe, clean and
well-managed space.
Blue Flag is an environmental education programme managed by Keep Britain Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education.
Among the criteria beaches are assessed against are:
n Safety and services such as first aid, and lifeguards where necessary.
n Environmental information, including displaying details about local ecosystems.
n Environmental management, including litter and waste.
n Water quality – Blue Flag beaches must meet the ‘excellent’ water quality standard as set out in the EU bathing water directive.
Stan’s the man at Swanage Pier
SWANAGE Pier is lucky to have a great team of volunteers dedicated to enhancing the enjoyment of everyone visiting the iconic unchanged Victorian structure.
And one longstanding volunteer marks his 90th birthday in June this year – Stan O’Flynn!
Stan began volunteering at Swanage Pier in 2005 and has been an integral part of the maintenance team for 25 years. He has worked on many
projects but in recent years has been instrumental in the creation of the Christmas Grotto on the pier.
Stan designed the Santa sleigh and the realistic cable car, as well as creating many other special festive items.
Planning is under way for even more festive fun this Christmas.
Stan is pictured on the Santa sleigh in the middle with members of the maintenance team.
Busy summer for morris dancers
DORSET Button Morris has a busy summer ahead. They will be performing on the following Wednesdays: May 27, Baker’s Arms, Lytchett Minster: June 3, Countryman, Winfrith; June 10, Lambs Green, Corfe Mullen; June 17, Corfe Castle, The Square; June 24, Clay Pipe, Sandford; July 1, Oak at Dewlish; July 8, Greyhound, Winterborne Kingston; July 15, Square & Compass, Worth Matravers; July 22 Ship in Wool (with Hobos); July 29, Antelope, Hazelbury Bryan (with
Treacle Eaters); August 5, Lulworth Cove (with Festus); August 12, Square & Compass, Worth Matravers. Their performances start on all the above dates at 8pm. August 19, Swanage seafront; August 26, Bankes Arms, Studland; September 2, Halfway Inn; September 9, Wareham Quay. All the above dates are Wednesdays at 7.30pm.
Saturday, September 12, all day, Swanage Folk Festival. Dorset Button Morris are this year raising money for the #Willdoes charity.
Purbeck Plod date
THE East Dorset Ramblers are set to once again host their Purbeck Plod challenge walk from Swanage.
Walkers have three distances to choose from – 25-mile – walk or run – or 16-mile and 12-mile for walkers only.
The event on Sunday, June 21, is fully supported with drinks and snacks en route, with
Dreamboats needs a new boatman
DREAMBOATS, based in Wimborne, is searching for a qualified boatman to help with its new season providing watercraft facilities to the public on the River Stour.
The volunteer-run charity, which has a boathouse and newly refurbished pontoon at Wimborne’s Riverside, has been offering affordable access to the river with the hire of rowing boats, paddleboards, kayaks and canoes for the last 25 years.
Charity chair Charlotte Greening said: “A new safety boat and lifejackets have been acquired, and we now need a RYA qualified boatman to get the new season underway.” She can be contacted at charlottegreening@icloud.com and on 07973 270876 for more information.
Dreamboats will initially operate at weekends and then extend opening during the high summer period.
a hot food option at the end in Swanage.
To enter, visit East Dorset Ramblers’ website – www. eastdorsetramblers.org.uk – for an application form or e-mail purbeckplod@uwclub.net for more details.
The fee is £8 for entry by June 7 or £10 if entering on the day.
Dreamboats charity chair Charlotte Greening at the Stour Riverside pontoon
Roll-up, roll-up for skate jam!
THE completion of the first major milestone in the Swanage skatepark project will be celebrated with a skate jam next weekend.
Families, local residents, skatepark users and supporters are invited to go along to the event at the end of the school half-term holiday.
It marks the end of phase one of the project, which saw building work completed in January, and aims to build momentum for phase 2.
The skate jam is hosted in partnership with King Ramps, the park builder appointed to build phase one after the skatepark project raised £75,000 to fund it.
A professional skateboarder and BMX rider will give demonstrations at the free event and visitors will receive coaching and advice from experienced riders.
Beginner skateboard workshops will be on offer during the first part of the afternoon.
Visitors can also enjoy catering, tea and cake, a raffle and the opportunity to buy exclusive Swanage Skatepark Community Project (SCCP) merchandise.
Planet Purbeck will also be pond-dipping in the Swan Brook River which runs beside the skatepark.
The event will see all the money raised go directly
East Burton Village Hall and Wool events – June
by Patricia Hook
MANY thanks to everyone who attended our spring fair at East Burton Village Hall and the East Burton Gardening Club spring fair.
The Charter Fair, which took place on Saturday, May 9, was very well attended and I hope all who went had a wonderful time.
The monthly coffee morning at East Burton Village Hall is on Friday, June 12, 10am-noon, and I hope to see you there. Please come and say ‘hello’ and enjoy more lovely home-made goodies with a cup
of tea or coffee – or two. No charge, we just ask for a donation to hall funds.
The writing class at East Burton Village Hall is going well and the next one is on Thursday, June 18, between 7-9.30pm. For details, see the EBVH noticeboard or email lucylastic@me.com or WhatsApp on 07773 251411.
The D’Urberville Players are meeting as usual at the D’Urberville Hall on Tuesday at 7.30pm and would love you to join them as they work on their new play, The Old People Are Revolting, scheduled for
for everyone who has supported the project so far.
“Completing phase one is an incredible achievement for our community and we’re so proud of what’s been created.
“The new ramps have only been in place for a few months, but the positive impact has been immediately noticeable.
“The skatepark is busier than it’s ever been. We’re seeing more girls using the space, and more adults coming back to skating for the first time in years.
“The accessibility of the design has changed who feels welcome in this space.
“We’d love the whole community to come along to the skate jam to celebrate with us and help support our fundraising for phase two.”
towards phase two of the skatepark redevelopment project.
The group has already achieved 62% of its £80,000 fundraising target for the next phase.
Local riders will be able to share their ideas and feedback on possibilities for a phase 2 design during the event.
SSCP secretary Heidi said: “This event is a huge celebration
June 4, 5 and 6. Or visit our Facebook page. Look out for posters appearing around the area soon. We need all kinds of people to help out, from greeting people coming to see the shows, backstage, props and so on, to actors, so lots to do. Come along and say hello and see if there is anything that interests you.
Wool Community Cinema is continuing its successful monthly film showings, so look out for details of the next film to be shown on Friday, June 19, Song Sung Blue, about Neil Diamond.
And finally, Wool WI is a vibrant group of ladies who enjoy talks, walking, gentle sports and outings of all kinds,
Anyone using the skatepark is encouraged to complete a short online impact survey to help SSCP demonstrate how the new ramps are benefiting the community, which will help strengthen grant applications to secure the remaining funding for phase 2.
For more information about the project, upcoming fundraising efforts and how to support phase two, follow SSCP on Facebook and Instagram.
The skate jam is at Swanage Skatepark on Saturday, May 30, from noon-5pm.
including cinema and theatre trips, lunch and supper clubs. Not just about baking and jam anymore. If you would like to come and see what we get up to, we meet at the Kids of Wool Building, attached to the D’Urberville Centre, on the second Monday of each month at 7pm. We would love to see you there to enjoy a talk, a natter, a cup of tea, a raffle and an update on upcoming events we organise.
Don’t forget, if you know of any activity in the area which needs to be advertised, let me know and I will include it here. I am all about supporting local people and events. My email is patricia.hook125@ gmail.com
A skate jam held in April last year celebrated the memory of Will Paddy PHOTOS: Andy Lyons
Museum unites war heroes
TWO Second World War Victoria Cross medals went on display together for the first time at The Tank Museum, Bovington, to mark the anniversary of VE Day, the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Captain Philip ‘Pip’ Gardner and Major General Henry Robert Bowreman ‘Bob’ Foote were both awarded Victoria Crosses in the Western Desert in the Second World War to honour their acts of bravery in the face of an enemy.
first Royal Tank Regiment officer to receive the Victoria Cross in the Second World War.
award on November 23, 1941, after risking his life under anti- tank fire to rescue a severely wounded soldier. Ordered to assist armoured cars from the King’s Dragoon Guards, Pip attempted to tow a
sustaining wounds to his neck, leg and arm, Pip returned to Beame.
enemy tanks to allow the Guards Brigade to withdraw.
Bob reorganised the remaining vehicles, moving on foot between tanks under intense fire to encourage their crews.
Despite his own tank being badly damaged and its guns disabled, Bob placed it at the front so he could be clearly seen, subsequently keeping the corridor open for the brigade to march through.
Over several days, Bob’s leadership and courage became legendary throughout the brigade.
Captain Gardner’s medals are now displayed alongside Major General Bob Foote’s, who was then an acting Lieutenant Colonel.
He was awarded a Victoria Cross after he led his battalion under heavy enemy artillery fire.
Exhibitions manager Luke Clark said: “Both Pip and Bob’s Victoria Crosses were the only two awarded to the Royal Tank Regiment during the Second World War, making it incredibly poignant to display together to mark the anniversary of VE Day on May 8.
After Bob’s tank was knocked out and he was wounded in the neck, he continued to command from an exposed position on another tank.
“Displaying Pip and Bob’s medal groups, including their Victoria Crosses, helps us tell the story of Pip and Bob’s bravery.”
A few days later, Bob ordered to delay advancing
The two Victoria Crosses, as well as more stories of the people who served in the Second World War, can be found in The Tank Museum’s WW2: War Stories exhibition.
£800,000 for college buildings
spent.
Lloyd Hatton, Labour MP for South Dorset, has been pressing for increased funding for college buildings and school buildings across Dorset.
COASTLAND College, based in Weymouth and Kingston Maurward, will receive nearly £800,000 of government funding to repair and upgrade its buildings.
He said: “This investment will give Coastland College the opportunity to upgrade buildings and make long overdue improvements.
The college is one of 175 colleges set to benefit from £307 million of government investment through the FE College Condition Allocations Fund.
Coastland College will decide
“I’m looking forward to catching up with the Principal at Coastland College to discuss putting this investment to best use.
“Looking to the future, I will keep banging the drum for new investment for our schools and colleges here in South Dorset.”
how the funding is
Bob Foote and Pip Gardner in Tidworth in 1983. They were both awarded the Victoria Cross for actions in the Second World War and The Tank Museum put their medals on display for VE Day
News from Wareham Town Council – May report
by Julie Bradshaw
AFTER 41 years of continuous service on the council, Councillor Critchley is once again the town mayor.
Cllr Holloway, another Liberal Democrat, is deputy town mayor, after a vote representing party affiliation.
Standing orders regulate how the council functions. They are based on national standards, and
some have legal or statutory requirements, others may be changed in the annual review or suspended by a majority vote at a meeting for the duration of that meeting.
Councillors debated on voting at committee meetings. Any councillor may attend and speak at any committee meeting. National guidelines state that any councillor may
vote but Wareham Council decided that only members of the committee which is meeting will be entitled to vote.
The internal auditor was re-appointed with no other candidates available.
The town clerk was excited to announce development of the town museum and tourist information centre was on track after the expression of interest
was successful. This guarantees funding from the National Lottery. Council staff will be working hard to prepare a full development bid to be submitted in August with the result known in September, enabling work to start in the new year.
The next town council meeting will be in the council chamber on Tuesday, June 23, at 7.30pm. Anyone may attend. Further information is available on the council’s website, www. wareham-tc.gov.uk, or by phoning the town council office on 01929 553006.
Event to celebrate the great outdoors
THE great outdoors will be celebrated at the Great OutDorset event at Upton Country Park next weekend.
The event, in one of Dorset’s most treasured green spaces, is free to attend and open to everyone, from families and their dogs looking for a fun day out, to nature lovers keen to deepen their knowledge of
Dorset’s landscapes.
The Dorset Heaths Partnership has organised the event, alongside Dorset Dogs and the Birds and Recreation Initiative.
Great OutDorset will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Dorset Heaths Partnership – formerly the Urban Heaths Partnership – which works to
support the conservation and management of Dorset’s heaths.
The heaths are internationally recognised for their rare wildlife, including species such as the sand lizard, Dartford warbler and smooth snake.
Visitors to Great OutDorset can learn more about the partnership’s achievements, plans for the future and how to
get involved in supporting local conservation efforts.
Other attractions at the event include countryside displays, axe throwing, dog show, BMX display, kick-boxing, arts and crafts, bouncy castle, live music, tasty food and more.
Great OutDorset is on Saturday, May 30, from 10am-3pm.
Eat, Drink & Shop at Ulwell
Welcoming Locals & Holidaymakers 7 Days a Week
Groceries, everyday essentials and fresh produce all in one place. Your local shop at Ulwell for food, drinks and daily necessities.
Serving great food, local ales and wines. Join us for lunch, dinner or a relaxed drink in friendly surroundings
Book tells story of SAS hero
THE wartime exploits of an SAS soldier from Swanage are told in a new book co-authored by his daughter.
SAS Rogue: The Clandestine Life of Peter Weaver by Joanna Weaver and Dr Will Ward, has been posthumously compiled from his diaries.
Will, a consultant paediatrician and historian, spent a decade researching the locations and events written about in the diaries.
Joanna said her father began writing his memoirs but suffered a stroke before he could finish and the book completes his story.
Peter Weaver was born in India in 1912 but was brought back to England at the age of three and grew up at Canford Cliffs.
His father, an officer in the Indian Army, was killed during the First World War in Mesopotamia.
operations across much of West Dorset, including the Purbeck area, where auxiliary unit men were trained and hidden bunkers and observation posts were built in the hills and countryside in the event of a German invasion.
His work brought him to the attention of SAS commander
Paddy Mayne, who was seeking men skilled in sabotage and covert warfare.
Lt Weaver – later promoted to Major – was subsequently parachuted into France ahead of D-Day.
He took part in Operation Bulbasket in June-July 1944 to disrupt German rail supplies to Normandy. Later, the location of the SAS base was betrayed and after it was attacked most of the soldiers were captured and executed.
April 1945.
After VE Day in May that year, he went to Norway with the SAS and later to Crete to carry out secret operations.
Peter Weaver was in charge of the West Dorset Auxiliary Units during the Second World War – Britain’s top secret ‘stay behind’ resistance organisation.
He lived locally and coordinated training and
Weaver escaped and regrouped with other survivors to successfully attack the German barracks at BonneuilMatours with napalm.
He then took part in further sabotage activities advancing into Germany, and was among the first into the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in mid-
His military career after the war took him to Sudan, Eritrea, Egypt and Greece, and he then became a chicken farmer in Essex before moving to Dorset.
He wanted a house overlooking the sea and bought the Belmont Hotel in Swanage and converted it before moving to a cottage in Harman’s Cross, where Joanna still lives.
Peter Weaver died in 1991 at the age of 79.
SAS Rogue: The Clandestine Life of Peter Weaver includes an endorsement by bestselling military historian Damien Lewis, whose SAS titles have a strong following.
It is available at local booksellers and national chains, including Waterstones and Foyles, and will be available as an audio book from next month.
The book will be officially launched at Waterstones in Dorchester on Saturday, June 20, alongside Second World War tanks during the town’s annual Armour and Embarkation event.
Care home ‘good’ across the board
A RESIDENTIAL care home in Wareham has been rated as ‘Good’ in all areas once again. Anglebury Court, run by Dorset Council-owned Care Dorset, was visited by Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspectors in late February, with off-site activity being carried out in early March.
Now, their report into the 32-bed service has been issued, with a good rating in the five categories – Safe, Effective, Caring, Responsive and Well-led.
Inspectors noted people and relatives consistently felt safe, well cared-for, and treated with kindness and respect, citing
positive comments from relatives about care colleagues, including one who said “staff are passionate and care deeply about the residents”.
“In resident meetings, people consistently say they feel safe, which is a testament to the compassion of the team,” the inspectors noted.
And a member of staff told inspectors: “Colleagues are very supportive and helpful, so it’s a really nice place for working.”
The latest visit confirms ratings passed down after the last inspection, in 2019.
Ally Prince, Care Dorset chief operating officer, said: “This is a classic team effort, and my congratulations to everyone involved.
“I don’t think there’s a way to make CQC inspections anything other than nervewracking, so I’m very pleased
Court,
was rated ‘good’ by CQC inspectors.
inspectors recognised the team’s hard work.
“We will, of course, have to keep on earning the rating until the next time, but to see it confirmed is such great news.”
Anglebury
in Wareham,
PHOTO: Care Dorset
SAS men of the Advance and Main parties of Operation Bulbasket enjoy a meal on June 12, 1944. Most of the men in this photo would be executed by the German Army less than a month later
PHOTO: Joanna Weaver
New season brings new faces and a fresh look
by Trevor Bingham
AS the bowling season gets into full swing, Swanage Bowls Club have plenty to report. It has been an encouraging start to the year, marked by a high level of community interest, a smart update to the club’s appearance and a significant show of support from local businesses.
The club recently held their ‘have a go’ recruitment days, and the committee were delighted by the public’s response. More than 60 people visited the green in Beach Gardens to try their hand at the sport, with many picking up a bowl for the very first time. It was heartening to see such a diverse range of ages taking part, and the club’s existing members were on hand to offer coaching and a warm welcome.
Town
The success of these open days has already resulted in several new memberships, ensuring the club remains a vibrant part of the town’s sporting life.
Members have taken to the green this season in a newly designed club kit. The updated uniform provides a smart and unified appearance for the team as they head into their summer fixtures. While the design is
council awards
£4,100 in grants
LYTCHETT Minster and Upton Town Council presented grants worth £4,150 to four organisations at its annual assembly.
The money went to: Citizens Advice East Dorset and Purbeck – £2,500; Home Start Wessex – £1,000; Lytchett Minster & Upton Beacon Community Association (LUBCA) – £500; and STARS Dorset – £150.
The council’s Volunteer of the Year awards recognised the efforts of: Nellie Powell (Under 18 Volunteer); Maureen Bradshaw (Over 18 Volunteer); Debbie Head (Over 18 Volunteer); LUBCA (Community Organisation).
The council is looking for new members of its Neighbourhood Plan Working Group.
Recruits may have good knowledge of the town and its surroundings, experience in building, planning or design or knowledge about the environment, architecture or accessibility.
Anyone interested in joining the group should email town clerk Kate Osborne at clerk@ lytchettminsterandupton-tc.gov. uk
BOURNEMOUTH, Christchurch and Poole have submitted a joint bid to be named the UK’s first Town of Culture 2028. The overall winner of the competition will receive £3 million to deliver a Town of Culture programme, with two runners-up each awarded £250,000.
partnerships are vital in helping the club maintain their facilities and continue providing a high standard of bowls for all.
The club would like to extend thanks to: Foleys Garage, Leonards of Swanage, Sage and Stone, The Studio by the Sea, Geewhites Savernake Press and Regency Dental.
This collective support represents the strong and enduring ties between the club and the wider Swanage community.
modern, it retains the traditional spirit of the club and has been well-received by players and spectators alike.
The growth of the club is further bolstered by the support of seven successful local businesses which have joined as sponsors this season. In the current climate, the backing of the local community is more important than ever, and these
Cricket league strictly social
A NEW cricket competition – The Purbeck Evening League – will be played this summer.
The limited overs round robin cricket tournament will feature four local teams bidding to be named the best social cricket team in the Purbecks.
The Thunderbats, a team representing Cumulus Outdoors – the school residential activity business based in Swanage –Swanage Royal British Legion, Swanage Cricket Club and Studland Cricket Club will play each other home and away between May and July.
Two venues will host the games – Swanage Cricket Club for the club side and Swanage Royal British Legion, and
With the greens in excellent condition despite challenging growing conditions, and a full calendar of matches and social events ahead, the club are looking forward to a successful and enjoyable summer.
For those who may have missed the open days but are still interested in giving bowls a try, the club remains open to new members of all abilities. Feel free to visit the clubhouse or contact the club directly via Barrie Tatman on 01929 421162 for further information.
Studland Cricket Club for their club side and The Thunderbats. Everyone is invited to go along and watch what should be competitive games played in a friendly atmosphere.
Fixtures: May 26 – Studland v Cumulus, Studland CC. June 2 – Swanage RBL v Studland, Swanage CC; Cumulus v Swanage, Studland CC. June 9 – Swanage v Studland, Swanage CC; Cumulus v Swanage RBL, Studland CC. June 16 –Swanage v Swanage RBL, Swanage CC. June 22 –Swanage RBL v Swanage, Swanage CC. June 25 –Cumulus v Studland, Studland CC. June 30 – Swanage v Cumulus, Swanage CC; Studland v Swanage RBL, Studland CC. July 7 – Swanage RBL v Cumulus, Swanage CC; Studland v Swanage, Studland CC. July 14 – Reserve day. July 21 – Presentation evening at Swanage Royal British Legion. All matches start 6pm.
Swanage Bowls Club members in their newly designed club kit
Ella’s our little miracle
Ella’s mum Chloe says Julia’s House is helping to fill her daughter’s world with giggles and laughter...
When she was just three days old, we were told to prepare to say goodbye. Her consultants didn’t think she would survive long enough to come home. But Ella is five now, and she continues to surprise everyone.
Ella has the most severe form of Edwards’ syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects almost every organ and causes significant developmental delay. Children with this condition are often described as ‘incompatible with life’, but anyone who has met Ella knows how wrong that label is. She’s the happiest little girl you could ever meet – she’s constantly beaming. She loves her Labrador Rufus, having fun, and rough and tumble play. And she loves anything silly – basically the more silly you are, the more she’ll laugh!
Every moment matters
Ella was 3lb 4oz when she was born, and at her lowest weight in those first days in NICU she was just 2lb 9oz. She was so teeny-tiny.
When Ella was six weeks old, they let us bring her home. It was an unbelievable feeling. We were living with Kyle’s parents at the time, and we decided to surprise them. It was so nice and surreal really.
But then two days later, she became violently sick. She’d been given a rich feed for weight gain and her little body couldn’t handle it. She died in my arms, and I had to give her CPR to bring her back to life. It was terrifying. I laid her on the floor, and she was so tiny that I had to use just one finger on her chest, and I breathed over her whole face.
Thankfully, she came around almost straight away. And within minutes the paramedics had arrived to help us.
They sent Ella home from hospital that evening but the next day it happened again. This time, it felt like we knew what to do and it was awful but not as dramatic. The doctors changed Ella’s milk after that and fortunately it never happened again!
Up until she was around four years old, any little bug would make her really poorly and we’d end up in hospital. She is still susceptible, and we had a really scary stretch in hospital earlier this year, but things feel like they’ve calmed down a lot now.
Ella might be diddy but she is tough, and we have learned to treasure every single moment together
A safe space
Ella has been supported by Julia’s House for two years. She adores her nurses and carers, especially her named nurse, Molly, who always brings out the biggest smiles and giggles.
Ella loves anything sensory. At the hospice she’s a big fan of playing in the sensory room, or getting messy with sand, shaving foam, paints, all that sort of stuff. She loves music and reading and she loves when they do the baking at Julia’s House. She just loves it all really!
Most importantly, we know she is safe. We can relax, knowing the team understands Ella completely and knows exactly what to do if anything happens.
Fun and friendship
We do have to be cautious about where we go with Ella because she is extremely vulnerable, so she tends to miss out on socialising with other children. That’s why Julia’s House is so special. It’s a place where Ella can be herself, safely surrounded by other children who understand life with complex medical needs.
The moment we arrive, Ella gets excited. She loves the children, the noise, the music and the fun. She thinks kids are the funniest people in the world.
Julia’s House is your local children’s hospice, providing specialist care for children with life-limiting conditions and support for their exhausted families, giving them all a chance to have the magical moments and memories every child and family deserves.
Our amazing nurses and carers bring clinical care, fun, laughter and compassion to the children they support. And we give exhausted parents a much-needed respite break from around the clock care, with the peace of mind their child is in safe hands.
Read more of Ella’s story and discover how Julia’s House support families in your community. juliashouse.org/ella
Ella with Mum Chloe and Dad Kyle
Ella with Julia’s House Nurse, Molly
Ella with Mum Chloe
Ella smiles at Mum
Ella in a swing
Fun lessons in healthy family food
SCHOOLCHILDREN from both Wool and Lulworth & Winfrith CE primary schools have been widening their experience and tastes for healthy foods through family meal prep sessions facilitated by the Friendly Food Club.
The headteacher of both schools, Ellie Griffiths, along with her staff team, launched the creative way to support families after hearing about parents’ struggles with children reluctant to eat healthy foods or engage with a varied diet.
Some parents and carers had shared that their children experienced sensory difficulties or had other additional needs which could make mealtimes challenging.
Ellie said: “We wanted to support our children and their families in an inclusive and fun way to experiment with healthy food, and I had heard about the Friendly Food Club charity’s inspiring healthy cooking sessions, so we invited them into school.
“The result has been two, six-week after-school programmes, in which parents and carers have joined their children in preparing the ingredients for wholesome and tasty family meals.
“I was pleased to secure local funding from Purbeck Local Alliance Group to pay for the sessions. This included buying each family a slow cooker, so the parents and children could prepare ingredients together and take the items for each meal home to cook them as a family.
“The Friendly Food Club have provided the engaging tuition, as well as the ingredients and peeling, chopping utensils – and as a result the scheme has had excellent take up with many families welcoming not only the chance to encourage their children to get involved in the cooking process, and expand the different meals offered, but also the opportunity for them as parents to improve their own confidence in cooking with children, thus avoiding less healthy ready meals.”
Wool parent Katie said: “My daughter Ava is very picky with food and is petrified about even putting some foods in her mouth. The sessions have been very relaxed and fun, and my mum has also come along too. Ava has enjoyed the chopping and peeling, and I feel we are taking small but important steps towards her trying new foods. It has been a great project to be part of.”
Pupils Rory, Hector and Eden have been enjoying prepping meals with their mum Demi and baby brother Rupert.
Rory said: “We are trying lots of vegetables and when we get home, we put them in our slow cooker and make our dinner. I especially liked the sausage casserole we made.”
Parent Emma added: “My son Louis is confidently peeling vegetables and has even asked for his own vegetable knife to help me in the kitchen. It’s lovely to be cooking healthy meals together as a family.”
The sessions at Wool have
been led by Friendly Food Club tutor Andria Glasgow and at Lulworth & Winfrith by Caroline Gray.
Andria said: “It has been a pleasure to be part of this fantastic project and to see the huge commitment Ellie and her team have for the wider wellbeing of their pupils and their families.
“The pupils and their parents have been a delight – showing up week after week with enthusiasm to find out what meals they will be preparing to take home and cook together.
“They have prepared and cooked dishes including vegetable curry and sausage casserole, and it has been encouraging to hear back from
their parents of their willingness to try new ingredients such as vegetables and pulses that they may have shied away from trying before.”
Liz Guilmant-Cush, chief executive of the Friendly Food Club, said: “We work across the county with people of all ages to highlight the health, financial and wellbeing benefits that cooking brings. Working with Ellie and her teams has been a great experience for all involved.
“We would welcome the chance to work with more forward-thinking schools and trusts like the Coastal Learning Partnership, to bring the benefits of healthy cooking to even more Dorset families.”
Schoolchildren from both Wool and Lulworth & Winfrith CE Primary Schools have been widening their experience and tastes for healthy foods through family meal prep sessions facilitated by the Friendly Food Club
Mummers help good causes
THE Purbeck Mummers presented £84 to Wareham Christmas lights and £440 to the Lexi May Trust raised from their Wareham, Corfe Castle and Square and Compass tours last December.
Sitting ducks for seagulls
THE days of throwing chips in Albion Square seems to have evolved into a different strategy for local seagulls.
We have undoubtedly led them to prefer ‘fast food’ –where their intelligence doesn’t view us as prey, only what we might hold in our hands.
Chips on the seafront, or a delicious jam and cream donut
in Station Road, could make you a sitting duck.
Perhaps Swanage council might provide some signage along the lines of: “In the interest of safety and hygiene, please be advised that the consumption of food items in the street could make you vulnerable to seabird attention.”
We have depleted the oceans of their natural sustenance.
Myk Hamilton Herston, Swanage
Beer festival puts People First
FANS of real ale helped the Dorchester Beerex event at the Corn Exchange in the town make a profit of £24,000 and aid good causes.
The sum was beyond the expectations of the Dorchester Beerex committee, made up of West Dorset Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club members.
The main charity beneficiary of the beer festival, sponsored by Cerne Abbas brewery and held in February, was People First Dorset.
The charity works with people with learning disabilities collectively and individually to promote self-awareness and acceptance in the community, as well as life skills such as social interaction.
People First Dorset was presented with a cheque for £10,000 – the biggest individual charity payment Dorchester Beerex has ever made.
At a cheque presentation, the group’s manager, Laura Kerr, said: “This amount of money is amazing and will make a huge difference to our day-to-day
Hardy’s
MAX Gate, the historic home of author Thomas Hardy on the edge of Dorchester, featured at the start of a new series of the BBC’s Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, which aired last week.
The series, which celebrates the experts and volunteers caring for the places and collections in the National Trust’s care, is on BBC Two and iPlayer.
Max Gate, designed by Hardy himself in 1885, reflects his ambitions as an established figure in Dorset society. He wrote literary classics including Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure there, along with much of his poetry.
In the programme, viewers saw the National Trust team and
running.
“We will use the money for various activities, including interaction groups, friendship groups, speaking up groups and independent advocacy.
“There is so much to cover, including relationship, employment and housing issues, to name but a few – thank you.”
Group member Diane Childs said: “Thank you for the opportunity to raise money for People First Dorset – I surprised myself with my self-confidence in taking part at Beerex,
especially helping behind the bar.”
West Dorset CAMRA and Beerex 2026 chair Bruce Mead said: “It was a joy and a pleasure to have People First Dorset as our main charity.
“It was great to see individuals helping behind the bar, playing a customer interaction game – they were the most engaging group ever.”
Funds from the raffle, which raised £4,000, were presented to Dorchester Youth & Community Centre in Kings Road.
Youth worker Laura Barnes said: “Every penny of this money will go to young people, assisting with day trips, craft activities and day-to-day financial barriers.”
Dorchester Youth & Community Centre allows youngsters to safely meet and engage with each other away from the streets.
On behalf of Dorchester Arts Centre, artistic director Mark Tattersall received a cheque for £700 which will go to finance Parkinson’s Dance classes.
These fun and stimulating classes provide therapeutic benefits, which lead to better balance for people with the condition.
Further profits will be allocated to good causes.
Members of the Dorchester Beerex Committee 2026 would like to thank all the breweries –in particular Cerne Abbas – as well as barrel sponsors, raffle prize donors and customers who helped raise such a large amount of money.
Dorchester Beerex returns on Friday and Saturday, February 5-6, 2027.
home a Hidden Treasure
specialist conservators at work restoring its sundial, a memorial designed by Hardy and erected after his death in 1928 by his wife, Florence.
The white timber dial bears the curious Latin inscription Quid de Nocte? meaning What of the night?. The show offers a glimpse into Hardy’s curiosity and creativity, and the care being taken to preserve his home for future generations.
“It’s extraordinary to see Hardy’s design brought back to life,” said Scott Welland, visitor operations and experience manager at Max Gate. “Every detail is a
testament to Hardy’s vision.”
The episode also explored the wider Dorset landscape that
shaped Hardy’s life, writing and love of nature, from the countryside surrounding his birthplace to the Cerne Giant.
The front of Max Gate (PHOTO: National Trust/Chris Lacey) and a close-up view of the sundial on the wall (PHOTO: National Trust/ Andrew Butler)
Dorchester Beerex committee members with charity representatives including (front, from left) Laura Barnes and Trudy Ritsema of Dorchester Youth & Community Club, Bruce Mead Beerex and West Dorset CAMRA chair, Kerry Martin and Laura Kerr from People First Dorset and Mark Tattersall of Dorchester Arts Centre
PHOTO: Rich Gabe
New book tells town’s water story
A NEW book, The Tower On The Hill, tells the fascinating story of water in Swanage, from the earliest days of wells and springs, through the development of water towers and reservoirs to serve the growing town, devastating floods, to the modern treatment systems of today.
The author, David J Hawkings, has had a lifetime interest in the subject.
He said: “As a boy, I was fascinated with the watercourses on Dartmoor, near my home, an interest which developed into writing my first book, Water
From The Moor, about the water supply of Plymouth.”
He moved to Swanage in 2021 and quickly realised there
was another fascinating story to be told.
“I was soon intrigued by the water tower dominating the town and the obelisk on Ballard Down and felt I had to research their history in more detail,” David added.
In writing the book, David
Half-term fun at country park
YOUNGSTERS can have fun this half-term at Durlston Country Park.
A ‘Super Seabirds’ activity trail, which runs until Monday, June 1, allows visitors to discover Durlston’s guillemots and the other seabirds that call the country park home.
had support from Swanage town clerk Martin Ayres and made use of the resources at the Swanage History Centre.
The book is published by Halsgrove, and Swanage Museum and Wessex Water both made grants towards the publication costs.
Durlston’s Learning Centre has a Wild Wednesday on May 27 with painting, crafts and activities on offer. No booking required and the event is free to attend.
Other activities include a bookable ‘Wildflower Hour of Power’ on Thursday, May 28, Durlston’s woodland play trail and Ranger-led guided walks.
Visitor services ranger Shannon Dugdale said: “We always look forward to the holidays so we can welcome families to enjoy Durlston, but May is a particularly great time to visit as all the seabirds are back.”
For more information on Durlston Country Park’s full calendar of events, including exhibitions, guided walks and more, visit www.durlston.co.uk/ events
Cyclists rise to ‘Moonshot’ challenge
MEMBERS of the Dorset Drafters cycling group cycled the distance to the moon as they raised thousands of pounds for the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal at Dorset County Hospital.
The cyclists collectively cycled more than 230,000 miles over last year in their ‘Moonshot’ challenge which saw them raise £3,600 for the appeal.
Members of the group, which was formed in 2023 and has now grown to a membership of 340, added up the total distance they cycled around Dorset, the rest of the UK and abroad in 2025.
Dorset Drafters member Brian Stalker worked for Dorset County Hospital for 30 years before retiring and was delighted to raise funds for a cause close to his heart. He said: “Dorset County
Hospital is the local hospital to us and provides essential care to the community. It was important to us that we could fundraise for it.
“The improved facilities and larger capacity of the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit will improve patient care when people need it, often under extremely traumatic conditions.”
Dorset Drafters member and organiser Andy Jones added: “The Moonshot challenge took place throughout the year and involved cumulative mileage from all our members. At the same time, individual members set their own challenges, contributing to our overall fundraising total.
“It gave our members a target which got them out cycling. We actually exceeded the distance of 230,000 miles, which was a great achievement
by all.”
Simon Pearson, head of DCH Charity, said: “This is an incredible achievement and a fantastic example of how community fundraising can be fun, inclusive and raise significant funds for Dorset County Hospital at the same time.
“We are very grateful to the Dorset Drafters for their hard work and commitment, and to those who donated.
“Supporting the appeal and
funding state-of-the-art equipment and facilities in the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit at DCH will make a difference to local people and families for generations to come.”
Dorset County Hospital’s new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit is set to open in 2027. DCH Charity’s £2.5 million appeal will fund enhanced facilities and state-ofthe-art medical equipment for the new development.
The cheque presentation with DCH Charity and Dorset Drafters at Dorset County Hospital PHOTO: DCH Charity
David J Hawkings with his book
Arrow words
Crossword
Sudoku 3D puzzle
Across
8 Circuitous movement in whole or small part (5)
Place 1 to 9 once into every black-bordered 3x3 area as well as each of the 54 rows indicated by the coloured lines. Rows don’t cross the thick black lines.
Killer Sudoku Pro
9 Stick put in part of reactor gets to deteriorate (7)
10 Someone with an instinctive aptitude for buff colour (7)
11 Unspoken merit a citation seals (5)
12 One pillaging place in the control of monarch (9)
14 Take action against endless fatty tissue (3)
15 Brood? It’s old-fashioned on reflection (3)
Down
1 Unite at college and enlist (4,2)
2 Get in the way of work of court around summertime in the UK? (8)
3 Excite gentleman touring Thailand (4)
4 Prophetic artist discounted concerning vision? (6)
5 Members in order? Three are converted in Britain and Norway (8)
6 Necklace actor carefully conceals (4)
7 Arrange support for driving seat (6)
16 Card? It’s fine around clubs with small amount of money (9)
19 It could supply a connection, it’s said, in set of notes (5)
21 Stay possibly around North America with liberal economic expert? (7)
23 Advertising body to reign usually (2,1,4)
24 Follow translator with trouble (5)
Killer Sudoku Pro Place numbers 1 to 9 once each into every row, column and bold-lined 3x3 box. No digit may be repeated in any dash-lined cage, and all the digits in any cage must add up to the value shown in that cage.
13 Terrible director broke rule accepting commercial fine (8)
14 Party moved into medical facility for beauty treatment (5,3)
15 Friendly college I found in rising Asian country (6)
17 Check renovation of pale section in church
18 Pet let out finds farm animals (6)
20 Old friend brings precious stone (4)
22 Political group losing power interested in aesthetics? (4)
UK? (8) 3 Excite gentleman touring Thailand (4)
Prophetic artist discounted concerning vision? (6)
5 Members in order? Three are converted in Britain and Norway (8)
Necklace actor carefully conceals (4)
Arrange support for driving seat (6)
Terrible director broke rule accepting commercial fine (8)
in rising
(4) 22 Political group losing power interested in aesthetics? (4)
How to save money on energy bills
QI’M becoming aware of how much energy our household appliances use, and it’s making me think about our bills. Do you have any tips to help us cut down on energy use and save some money?
AIT’S completely normal to worry about energy bills. Adopting a few simple habits into your daily routine can make a real difference. Here are some practical tips to help you take control of your energy use. In the bathroom REDUCING the length of your
shower time can help. Try reducing the water temperature of your shower too, as cooler showers use less energy. Doing your washing USING your washing machine’s ‘eco’ cycle takes longer but uses less energy. For laundry that isn’t heavily soiled, use a cold cycle – 20 or 30 degrees Celsius. Hanging your washing outside is an effective – and free – way to dry clothes – weather permitting! If not, it’s cheaper to use a heated clothes airer than a tumble dryer.
In the kitchen AIR fryers, microwaves and slow cookers usually use less energy than an oven or hob. Putting lids on pans while you’re cooking and using the right size pan for the amount of food you are preparing means you will use less energy when heating it.
Don’t overfill the kettle, measure out the water you need. Defrost your fridge or freezer once or twice a year and don’t hold the door open for extended periods of time.
Your heating CHECK the temperature on the thermostat – between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius is fine for most people. Check your heating times – if you have a boiler, set the temperature two or three degrees lower – or programme it to be off – when you’re out or asleep.
Check the thermostatic radiator valves – some have numbers on them. You can set each one to the lowest number that keeps the room comfortable. Set them to three or four for rooms you want warmer and one or two for rooms you want cooler. Install radiator reflectors behind radiators on external walls if your house isn’t well insulated. These are easy to install even in rented homes and will make rooms feel warmer. If you’re worried about paying your energy bills, information on the Citizens’ Advice website, www. citizensadvice.org.uk, or contact your local Citizens Advice.
Network Rail gets it wrong on crossing
ONE law for them and one law for us? Network Rail unilaterally closed the pedestrian crossing at Wareham, which is the only practicable way to go from one side of Wareham to the other, on Monday, May 11, to start what it referred to as ‘vital work’.
So vital, indeed, that it didn’t actually start on that day – it took a while for the workforce to get itself into gear.
Network Rail said the work is ‘urgently needed’ before the current gate system fails and leaves residents at risk, and even more stranded than they will be in the 11-day repair period, which is the second closure in a year.
The alternative way to cross the line is a footbridge with steep steps, totally inaccessible for prams, wheelchairs and disabled people with electric buggies.
Of course, there is another way – walk across the road bridge with all the traffic rushing past, on the non-existent pavements.
Forcing mobility scooter users to use this flyover is not just ridiculous, it’s downright dangerous.
Should they take costly taxis or wait in the rain for buses?
Just look at the other crossings between Wareham and Dorchester that don’t have a manned gate. And seem to manage perfectly well.
What’s the need for attended manual gates anyway?
This is 2026 and one would have thought that by now someone would have worked out a way to do this electronically.
But once installed, the new gates will continue to be manned between 6am and midnight at a cost to Dorset Council of £120,000 a year. Of our money.
by David Hollister
Why? Because they can, and it’s not their money.
Just because – many years ago – a stupid woman was caught on CCTV pushing her baby across between the partially-closed gates.
Time that image was erased from Network Rail’s memory!
YOU will have read in the last edition of the Purbeck Gazette that plans are moving forward to build up to 25 affordable rented homes on a greenfield site in Harman’s Cross.
Full marks to the Corfe Castle Land Trust and the Corfe Castle Charities for making this much needed move.
The Charities is working in association with the Aster Group and it’s this association that is causing the hairs on the back of my hands to twitch.
I’ve spoken with a number of Corfe Castle residents over the past few months and very few of them have a good word to say about the Aster Group.
It seems to me perhaps Aster needs to carry out a credible public relations exercise before entering into an agreement with Corfe Castle Charities.
READING the article in our last edition on the subject of renters’ rights has convinced me that the law has come down fairly and squarely in favour of tenants and ‘renters’ and that the obligations placed on landlords and property owners – and the inferred penalties – make it not worth the trouble of buying a property to rent out.
No-fault Section 21 evictions are eliminated.
Telling It Like It Is
Landlords can only evict tenants using specific, legitimate legal grounds under Section 8, such as selling the property or moving in.
Clauses that enforce blanket bans against renting to families with children or individuals receiving benefits are outlawed.
Landlords are restricted from demanding excessive rent upfront, limiting advance payments to a maximum of one month’s rent.
I know this will make me even more unpopular, but look – it’s MY house, I am paying for it.
I stand to lose if the property market collapses and it’s ME who will be clobbered by any unwitting infraction of the already complicated property laws.
Seems like if anything goes wrong with the house it’s MY fault.
So in return I will decide who lives in it, whether or not I will accept pets or benefit claimants. My house, My choice.
GREAT news for Swanage with the granting of yet another Blue Flag.
Our bay is certified safe to swim in.
I only wish I hadn’t seen the television programme Dirty Business which reveals the decades of systemic failings that have enabled the sewage scandal – poor government legislation and inadequacy within both the Environment Agency and the water companies themselves.
Since the privatisation of the industry in 1989, it seems to me that water companies have been motivated purely by profit, with no regard for public health or the
environment.
We are well-served by Wessex Water with a state-ofthe-art sewage treatment plant in Swanage.
It is planning a ‘catch tank’ to hold four million litres of wastewater which gushes through the combined sewer system during periods of heavy rainfall, until it can be properly processed at the Swanage treatment works.
The idea is to reduce the amount of ‘storm sewage’ from the drains which ends up diverting to the overflow at Peveril Point and being discharged into Swanage Bay.
This is called ‘storm sewage’, as it contains all the rainwater that flows down roads and into drains, as well as everything that goes into household drains. Dishwater, faeces and so on, and other diluted sewage. Flowing into our bay.
The Peveril Point overflow discharges about 20 times a year – depending on annual rainfall – but the government has set environmental targets for water companies, which include preventing overflows from happening more than 10 times a year.
Well, by now you will know of my utter contempt for the Government and its ‘targets’. Electric cars? More police on the streets? More teachers and smaller classes? A court system that works?
More doctors and nurses, even if those we trained up to do the job are being side-lined while others are being brought in from overseas?
And would I swim in the bay even if the Government has set ‘environmental cleanliness targets’?
I’d rather not.
Tune in and enjoy your local community radio station. Broadcast for the community, by the community. Listen to David Hollister
‘Telling It Like It Is’ Monday-Thursday 5-6pm.
Labour out of step and out of touch
THE elections on Thursday, May 7, sent a message that was loud, clear and impossible to miss – unless, it seems, you are Lloyd Hatton, the MP for South Dorset. While voters across many parts of the country used their ballots to show their frustration with a Labour government they feel has crashed off course, Hatton is still standing behind a prime minister whose authority is slipping away. Whether Labour wants to admit it or not, many people now believe Keir Starmer’s time is up – at the time of writing he was still in post.
Back in 2024, when Labour swept into Downing Street, Starmer and his allies, Hatton included, promised something simple – change. They said they would bring competence back to government. They said they would reconnect politics
Reader’s Picture
with the real world. They said they would steady the ship after years of upheaval. People were willing to give them a chance.
Less than two years later, can you say Labour has lived up to this promise? Instead of the calm, capable leadership voters were told to expect, the Government has stumbled from one U-turn to the next. Scandals and infighting seem to be expected from Starmer’s Labour Party. And rather than listening to their constituents, Labour MPs like Hatton look increasingly out of touch and blinded by party loyalty.
The results on May 7 made that frustration impossible to ignore. Across towns, cities and all communities between them, voters delivered a sharp warning to Labour’s leadership. This wasn’t a handful of isolated results but a very clear
message. A sign that patience is wearing thin with a government that talked a big game but hasn’t delivered the change it promised.
In stark contrast to Starmer’s leadership, one figure has been moving in the opposite direction – Kemi Badenoch. Her directness, her willingness to take on difficult arguments and her refusal to tiptoe around Labour’s record have gained momentum with people who feel let down by Starmer’s disastrous, managerial approach. She hasn’t just held her ground, she has taken the fight to Labour, exposing contradictions and offering a clearer, more confident alternative.
Yet despite all this, Lloyd Hatton remains firmly glued to Starmer’s side. Instead of acknowledging what voters have just said, he’s doubling
down on a leadership that is clearly out of step with the mood of the country.
The message from the local elections couldn’t be clearer – people expected better. They expected competence. They expected delivery. They expected the ‘change’ they were promised. What they’ve been given instead is a government that feels increasingly out of step with the country and a prime minister who has lost the confidence of many who once backed him.
If Labour genuinely wants to govern in the national interest, it must start listening. The Conservative Party has already learned that lesson, and Kemi Badenoch is showing what that looks like in practice.
BYRON QUAYLE Chair, South Dorset Conservative Association
Robin Boultwood
Climate change’s effects on our coast
DORSET’S coastline has always been one of its greatest assets, but it is also increasingly one of its greatest challenges. As climate change drives rising sea levels, more intense storms and greater pressure on fragile coastal environments, the need to invest in resilience and adaptation has never been clearer.
Nowhere is this more evident than in Swanage, where Dorset Council and Swanage Town Council are working in partnership on an ambitious programme to safeguard the future of the town’s seafront. A recent report highlights growing ground instability along the Green Seafront, with monitoring identifying widespread defects in retaining structures, paths and public spaces. Left unaddressed, the situation could lead to restrictions on access, increased maintenance costs and, ultimately, risks to public safety.
The proposed Green Seafront Ground Stabilisation Project is a direct response to these risks. It
represents a comprehensive approach not only to stabilise the land, but to adapt the area for the future – improving accessibility, enhancing biodiversity and creating a more climate-resilient seafront for generations to come. Alongside this, planned improvements to Shore Road will prioritise pedestrians, improve safety and create a more welcoming and sustainable public space.
Taken together, these schemes represent a coordinated investment of £5 million by Dorset Council, including £2.5 million to support the stabilisation works and a further £2.5 million for highway and public realm improvements. This level of funding underlines the council’s commitment to protecting key coastal assets and supporting local communities and the visitor economy.
Swanage is not alone in facing these challenges. Across the Dorset coast, erosion, instability and the impacts of climate change are placing
increasing strain on historic infrastructure. At Lyme Regis, for example, ongoing investment has been required to repair and maintain the iconic Cobb harbour, a vital structure that protects the town and sustains its economy. These works demonstrate the scale and cost of safeguarding coastal heritage in a changing climate.
Such projects are not simply about maintaining what already exists. They are about adapting to a future in which coastal conditions are less predictable and more demanding. Dorset Council’s approach reflects this, aligning investment with wider priorities around climate adaptation, ecological improvement and sustainable growth.
Importantly, these schemes also recognise the economic importance of the coast. In Swanage alone, tourism contributes tens of millions of pounds annually and supports hundreds of jobs. Ensuring that seafronts remain safe, accessible
All aboard for better buses!
A BIG campaign of mine this year has been to secure better buses across Purbeck.
Unfortunately, under the previous Conservative government, bus services across Dorset were cut back year-onyear. This led to deteriorating reliability and frequency, and a damaging reduction of many bus routes. It’s critical that we now invest in our bus services across the county.
Two villages that urgently need an improved bus service are Bovington and Harman’s Cross. I recently held a drop-in meeting in Bovington to discuss the shocking lack of a bus service for local people and Armed Forces families based here. For too long, there has been no regular, all-year-round bus service, leaving the whole community isolated. I have already raised my serious
concerns with bus operators –we urgently need a decent bus service for Bovington.
Would-be bus passengers in Harman’s Cross face similar challenges. The Number 40 bus service currently stops at neighbouring villages, but not Harman’s Cross. This is simply not good enough – so when I recently met bus operators, I called for the Number 40 service to also stop at Harman’s Cross.
To deliver better buses locally, I am also pushing for the Number 40 bus service to run more frequently. That way it can better serve passengers living in Swanage, Langton Matravers, Kingston and Corfe Castle.
Last year, the Labour government increased funding for bus services across the county. With the additional funding secured, I am now calling on both the bus operators
and attractive is therefore essential not just for residents, but for the wider Dorset economy.
While significant funding is being committed locally, the scale of the challenge means continued support from central government and other partners will be crucial. Coastal communities cannot address these issues alone. Strategic investment, backed by long-term planning, is needed to ensure that Dorset’s unique coastline can be protected and enhanced.
The message is clear –climate change is no longer a future threat, but a present reality. By investing now in projects like the Green Seafront and the Cobb at Lyme Regis, your Liberal Democrat run Dorset Council is taking practical steps to adapt –protecting our communities, our economy and our natural environment for years to come.
and Dorset Council to put this funding to good use and boost the frequency of the Number 40 bus as soon as possible.
I know that a more frequent Number 40 bus will allow passengers to travel to Poole much more easily – whether popping to the shops, accessing health appointments or visiting family and friends. In the coming months, I will be noisily making the case for improving the frequency of the Number 40 bus and pushing for this service to stop at Harman’s Cross, too.
Taking a look at the bigger picture, this Labour government has delivered some really meaningful changes to how buses are run. Before, private bus companies were free to cut routes, chop and change bus services, hike fares and leave rural communities stranded.
I am really pleased the
NICK IRELAND Liberal Democrat Leader of
Dorset Council
Labour government is addressing this problem by handing local leaders – and not distant bus bosses – control over routes, fares and services. This means that Dorset Council will have a much bigger role in delivering our bus services in future – and will be directly accountable to passengers. The landmark legislation stops the scandal of local people having no say over their bus services. Alongside these reforms, fresh investment is clearly needed. Again, we have seen some positive steps in the right direction. We now need to see this investment translate into improvements here in Purbeck. In the meantime, I will keep up my campaign for better buses!
LLOYD HATTON Labour MP for South Dorset
Millie makes her mark at Badminton
TEENAGE rider Millie Bloomfield, who lives near the RAC Saddle Club at Bovington, had a top 10 finish in the prestigious Badminton Grassroots Championships –just over a year after a lifethreatening fall.
Millie, 15, who attends Bryanston, finished 1st in the Under 25s section and 7th overall in the 90 Championship, riding her horse Jinx.
During cross-country training last year, she suffered a fall in which the horse landed on her, leaving her with a fractured pelvis.
“Getting Jinx to Badminton was always the main goal, but after our fall I never thought it could happen this year,” Millie said.
EQUESTRIAN
But she returned to the saddle sooner than many expected and worked hard with physios and coaches to qualify.
Her partnership with Jinx has been years in the making. “I got him as a freshly backed five-year-old four years ago,” Millie said.
“It has been a long journey with a lot of lows, but that just makes the highs so much more special.”
Their journey has not been without challenges. “He is a difficult horse at times and after our fall we have both had a few problems with our confidence,” she said. “But he has the biggest heart and never fails to give me
his all. I’m so proud.”
Millie credits much of her progress to the support network around her. “We had so much support through RAC Saddle Club, and from family and friends – that kept me going.”
Competing at Badminton proved to be a memorable experience beyond the result itself. “What made it so special for me was that the lower levels don’t really get the chance to experience a proper crowd cheering you on,” she said.
“The amount of people that
show up is so special –cantering away from a tricky jump with the crowd cheering behind you is an amazing feeling. Having so many friends and family there to support me was incredible.”
Millie hopes her story can inspire others facing difficult moments in sport.
“Keep looking up and keep kicking on,” she advised anyone else facing adversity.
Seconds make most of conditions
by Mike Nash
SWANAGE CC’S 1st XI had their ‘bye’, so attention turned to the 2nd XI and 3rd XI matches.
The 2nd XI won a crucial toss and unsurprisingly elected to bat first under blue skies on a beautiful wicket against their Weymouth counterparts at Days Park.
But against excellent swing bowling the hosts were reduced to 15-2 before Mike Nash and John Lewis rescued the innings with a brilliant 88-run partnership. Together they mixed solid defence with powerful drives.
CRICKET
They were dismissed in quick succession for 48 and 42 respectively, but then debutant Chris Backhouse and Jernimain took the game away from the visitors with a sensational 150-run stand at 10 an over. Between them they hit 24 boundaries.
They both remained unbeaten, with Backhouse making 69 and Jernimain scoring 65 as the hosts amassed 277-5 from their 40 overs.
In reply, Weymouth were soon under pressure against amazing seam/swing bowling by Jernimain and Steve Ramsay. Ramsay claimed three wickets to help reduce the visitors to 38-4. James Harding, who took a brace of wickets –helped by an unbelievable catch by Jernimain – maintained the pressure, to leave the visitors reeling at 84-7 in the 25th over.
Once the visitors knew they could no longer win, they batted sedately to reach 184-7.
The 3rd XI travelled to Lytchett to take on their 1st XI.
The visitors batted first and
despite being restricted to 1-2 managed to reach a respectable 167-5 due mainly to Tim Ives (52), Geoff Willcocks (37 not out) and Josh (25).
In response, Lytchett appeared to be cruising at 117-1 but exceptional bowling by Alan Marks, Ives, Josh and George – who took his first-ever wicket
on debut – made the hosts work hard for their four-wicket victory.
Women’s Hard-Ball – Lost. Batting highlights, Jo RobertsMiller, Niamh McKeown and Hannah Attride. Bowling highlights, Faye.
Women’s Soft-Ball – Won. Batting highlights, Angeline Crook, Bev Lagden, Sukholuhle Ncube and Pam Sealey. Bowling highlights, Amanda Braznell, Bev Lagden.
Swanage Under 13s – Won. Batting highlights, Danny, Finley. Bowling highlights, Alfred.
Swanage Under 13 (Sabres) – Lost. Batting highlights, Henry, Luke. Bowling highlights, Alex, Oliver.
Swanage Under 11s – Lost. Batting highlights, Henry, Saaqib. Bowling highlights, Frankie, Noah.
Millie Bloomfield with and on board Jinx
Chris Backhouse and Jernimain
Meditations in nature: Brushstrokes of May
by Susanna Curtin
THIS enchanting month is named after Maia, the Roman goddess associated with fertility and growth, and no wonder, for it is indeed the most colourful and aweinspiring time to be out in nature. The emerging leaves turn the countryside into translucent shades of lime, fern and emerald greens, the delicate blooms of the hawthorn whitewash the hedgerows, and the meadows are awash with a yellow sea of tall, gently swaying buttercups as the remnants of bluebells and cowslips fade. Our gardens, too, are resplendent with flowering trees and shrubs – lilacs, laburnum and ceanothus – all brimming with colour, marking the gradual transition from spring into summer.
My garden birds have been extremely busy creating the next generation. The first round of fledglings is appearing, totally dependent on their parent and looking helpless and vulnerable. My lady wren has, unfortunately, chosen a different nest to the one that her partner so diligently created in the ivy on my ash tree. But I watched him with glee this morning as he came back to check on it and add some new feathers to the lining – perhaps this will be for their second brood. I hope so. Starlings have moved into one of my swift boxes, while a very annoying male sparrow has claimed the starling box and has become fixated on it. Berty, as I have named him, is now quite alone as his suitors have found more attentive partners after he just ignored them by jumping back into his birdhouse and chirping – this is apparently quite a
common occurrence in male sparrows.
Today though, I have left my garden birds to their dramas to enjoy the colourful brushstrokes of May. Meeting a friend at Martin Down nature reserve, we have planned a route which takes in the ridge of Pentridge and Penbury Knott – hills I have driven past countless times but have never truly explored. Under a cornflower-blue sky, we gather our belongings for the day and quickly take in the sights and sounds that surround us. There are the scratchy tunes of white throats and the familiar ‘little bit of bread and no cheese’ song of the yellowhammers. Blackcaps and skylarks add to
that lived here thousands of years ago. This is one of Britain’s richest prehistoric landscapes, including the Dorset Cursus, the longest neolithic monument in Britain. Later came the Early Bronze Age communities, often associated with the Beaker people, migrants from the continent. They brought new ways of working metal and new burial traditions, placing individuals in carefully furnished graves accompanied by pottery and personal ornaments. Walking here, it is hard not to feel how these layers of human life are still inscribed in the land itself. They chronicle the human experience of life and death and make me think about the footsteps of those who walked here then, and our own footsteps now. It feels as though we are simply passing through time and space.
the opera, alongside the continual call of cuckoos. I also listen carefully for the soft, gentle purring of turtle doves.
As we make our way along the edge of Bokerley Dyke, a Bronze Age territorial boundary stretching for three and a half miles, we are accompanied by orange tips, a painted lady, grizzled skippers, brimstones, holly blues and the first small copper butterflies of the season. Much of my childhood was spent in the Chilterns chalk downlands, and I have always loved these wide, sweeping landscapes and the grasslands, woodlands and chalk streams that support a rich variety of flora and fauna. Up here, high on the Dorset-Wiltshire border within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, there is a different kind of magic. It lies in the density of ancient earthworks – the dykes, ditches, burial mounds and barrows that thread through the countryside, marking the presence of those
Yet within these earthworks there are also natural treasures to be found. I know of one I have long wanted to share with my botanist friend. At the end of our circuit, we come upon a very special and very rare Pasque flower, Pulsatilla vulgaris. Its vibrant purple, bell-shaped blooms are found in only a handful of sites across the UK. I first stumbled across this plant nearly 10 years ago and have since made an annual pilgrimage to see it in flower. These plants thrive on ancient ground like this, where the soil is thin and low in nutrients and the land has remained relatively undisturbed for centuries. My friend is delighted to meet it, arriving just in time to catch its late flowering, and I am equally glad to have shared it.
I have so enjoyed this walk for it has been the perfect combination of landscape, flowers, butterflies, birds and history that mark the wonder of May.
n Dr Susie Curtin (email curtin. susanna@gmail.com)
The Cranborne Chase and (left) the Pasque flower
Health & Wellbeing
Unexpected experiences of grief
by Nicole Asghar
I MOVED house recently. This transition has created an opportunity to reflect on how we experience endings, life changes and the feeling of loss.
As I removed the photos from my fridge, I felt a sadness that was familiar to me – a sadness that only comes from things ending. I remember the day my grandmother moved out of her house after my Grandpa had passed away – it left me with this heavy aching feeling in stomach. I was only 12, but I remember thinking that must have been so hard for her. It was a place of my childhood memories, a place of connection to someone gone. It was so much more than bricks and mortar. This is a memory I haven’t revisited for many years but came up when experiencing my own move.
Moving can mean grieving. In therapy, when someone comes wanting to talk about grief, it is often the kind we are most familiar with – the loss of
a cherished person or pet. However, what often happens is an unfolding of all the different types of loss we’ve experienced. For some, the loss of a childhood home can be one of those painful losses. The loss of a home created in adulthood can be equally heartbreaking. As I experienced, one experience of an ending can trigger the memory of another, and this is why grief is rarely about one loss.
We start to form our relationship to endings and loss from a young age. An important
New unit will offer mental health care closer to home
A NEW £23 million inpatient unit has opened in Poole, the first phase of expanded and improved facilities to support people across Dorset struggling with severe mental issues.
Chaddesley House, at St Ann’s Hospital in Sandbanks, has been purpose-built by Dorset HealthCare to increase capacity and enhance services for local men and women needing 24-hour care and intensive treatment.
The building, which will be ready for patients from the end of May, is the first fruit of a £70.6 million investment in Dorset’s mental health services as part of the Government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP).
A new high intensity unit for children and young people
will open in Bournemouth this summer, while further improvements to the St Ann’s site will be introduced over the next couple of years.
Dorset HealthCare chief executive Matthew Bryant joined NHP strategy director Darren Crook for the opening ceremony, alongside representatives from the Dorset Mental Health Forum and developers Kier Construction, and St Ann’s staff.
Local MPs Neil DuncanJordan (Poole), Tom Hayes (Bournemouth East), Lloyd Hatton (South Dorset) and Jessica Toale (Bournemouth West) also attended the event.
Work on Chaddesley House began two years ago, and the two-storey unit will host two specialist adult wards.
The first floor Chine Ward
If grief is an expression of our love, then the more we love, the more we grieve
more complicated the grief is. The more complicated the grief is, the more patient we must be with ourselves as we navigate life with the feeling of loss. This is no easy task. Waiting for the pain to subside takes courage and grace.
transition is from the home to childcare or school. Then junior to senior school. For some children, there are losses along the way, of loved ones, pets, homes, friendships, possessions – and the loss of toys. When there is no longer space for them, or they are deemed too babyish, toys can be discarded. These experiences can all be a form of loss and of grief.
If grief is an expression of our love, then the more we love, the more we grieve.
The more we hope for something that can never be, the
will relocate female patients from a listed building elsewhere on the site which limits modern development, offering improved facilities and increased capacity (14 beds).
On the ground floor, Haven Ward – divided into eight-bed male and five-bed female psychiatric intensive care units – will also add to bed numbers on the site, as well as making space elsewhere at St Ann’s for extensive refurbishment and modernisation works, due to be completed over the course of 2027/28.
Matthew Bryant said: “We’re very pleased to be opening the first of our New Hospital Programme developments, which we know will make a huge difference for local people living with severe mental illness.
“Chaddesley House will allow us to provide the highest level of care to more local
Having someone walk alongside you as you navigate loss can be one of the most powerful experiences. I’ve seen workshops and retreats being developed solely for the purpose of exploring your relationship to loss – there are books, support groups and bereavement specialists all there waiting to be with you and your story. No loss is unimportant.
If you’d like to share your thoughts on this, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to get in touch.
n Nicole Asghar is a Dorsetbased therapist working online and around Bournemouth. Specialising in neurodivergence, trauma, and yoga. Get in touch via nicole@ourluminousminds. com or www.nicoleasghar.com
people – here in Dorset, close to their friends and family.
“It has been designed together with service users, and the environment of care is of a very high quality which will help people recover as quickly as possible and will also make a great difference to families, carers and NHS staff.
“Together with our other NHP project for children and young people at Alumhurst Road, this building is part of the transformation of Dorset’s mental health services to make them modern, accessible and centred around meeting the needs of people.
“We’re very grateful to the Government’s New Hospital Programme, service users and peer specialists from the Dorset Mental Health Forum, our partners Kier who constructed the building and everyone at Dorset HealthCare who has worked so hard to make this happen.
My advice –drink water before meals…
by Fiona Chapman
I HAVE had my father staying with me and I noticed he hardly drinks any water. Talking to other friends who have parents of the same generation, they too confirm that they don’t drink water. My father drinks coffee and tea, and in the evening prosecco! All of these things – yes, are liquid – but no, do not rehydrate, in fact the opposite, they dehydrate the body.
The body is 75% water and every function is affected by the flow of water. When dehydrated, the body will ration the distribution of water – a sort of drought management. If the brain becomes even mildly dehydrated, it can lead to impaired attention, memory and cognitive performance. Our natural ability to feel thirst is diminishing the more out of touch we get with ourselves and seems to be particularly bad as we get older.
If we are not used to drinking water, we don’t recognise signs that we are thirsty, so will often eat something instead. Other signs of dehydration besides the obvious, which is a dry mouth, are heartburn, rheumatoid and back pain, headaches, angina and leg pain on walking. I have said it before but if you look at
plants that are dehydrated, they go limp, their leaves dry out, their heads droop as though exhausted. We do exactly the same, and need water to bring us back to life again.
If our joints are not well hydrated, the fluid that keeps them moving dries out and no nutrients get to them, the area becomes inflamed and suddenly we are in pain and don’t want to use them anymore. Likewise, lack of water will not help with hypertension – high blood pressure. The blood is sticky and more difficult to push around the body. As a species, we can survive a long time without food, but we cannot survive long without water.
It is a good idea to drink water on waking and to try and drink water half an hour to 15 minutes before meals, not during – it dilutes the digestive juices – a pint before a meal can also curb overeating. The body uses water to break down sugar, which is why we feel thirsty after eating sweet things. To optimise our health, we should cut down sugar and up good quality, filtered water, along with leafy hydrating foods such as green vegetables, cucumbers, celery, beetroot and fruits like pineapple.
n Fiona Chapman is a naturopathic herbalist (email Pellyfiona@gmail.com)
CHIROPODY
Humans can survive a long time without food, but we cannot survive long without water
Summer’s coming –and it’s show time!
by Sally Gregson
AS every Englishman, and Englishwoman, knows, early summer is the traditional time for flower shows. Every part of the country throws caution to the wind and rain and offers a programme of displays and plant stalls at a flower show as part of the celebration of summer. Of course, the most famous, both here and throughout the world, is the Chelsea Flower Show, and it’s a ‘must-watch’ on the television every night now, at the end of May.
It is a fascinating task preparing for a big show. It starts over a year beforehand with the designer’s plans submitted to the organisers for approval, and sponsors for the gardens found and brought on board. Once the go-ahead is given, the exhibitors must decide on the plants to be exhibited the following year and start preparing them. They will need to be potted on at the
right time and placed under protection for the winter. Many garden exhibitors contact the specialist wholesale nurseries
early to book plants they think they ‘know’ will be an essential part of their exhibit. It’s a very tricky situation – a balancing
act, especially if the winter is unusually mild, or less likely nowadays, more severe than usual.
Once April dawns, the ideal is to have a bevy of very beautifully grown plants to choose from to create a ‘garden’. But as every gardener knows, real life is never that simple. Many garden exhibitors leave it until the last minute to go shopping for plants that will be at their peak during Chelsea week. And the weather is just one of their logistical problems.
Nursery exhibitors are similarly afflicted, of course, but additionally they need to ensure that they will have plenty of stock of the most popular items that are going to be saleable at home during Chelsea week. And at this, the busiest time of year for a retail nursery, that they can field enough staff to man the stand for a week at Chelsea, as well as be present for their customers in their small specialist nursery.
It may be very fraught, but the rewards are considerable, both to the reputation of the garden designers and the purses of the nurseries. And it’s great fun!
Runner beans nice ‘n’ easy to grow
by Sally Gregson
AS the winter frosts fade into bad memories, we gardeners can feel a little more secure and positive about sowing and planting tender vegetables directly into the warming soil. Perhaps the go-to vegetable of choice for many gardeners is the British runner bean.
It is an odd fact that most of the rest of Europe doesn’t seem to either grow or eat runner beans. But what can compare to a pile of freshly cooked beans nestling beneath a melting knob of butter? It has to be one of the most delicious treats, and the vegetable gardener can do it so much better than any
vegetables to grow, but if you wanted them to be more decorative in your garden, there are white-flowered forms such as White Lady or Moonlight that are just as prolific as the red. Or try mixing seed-raised plants of both red and white.
supermarket. Runners are best picked young and stringless, before they make much more than 20cm in length. And the more they are picked the more the plant will produce.
The traditional red-flowered climber is one of the easiest
And if you too love runner beans but haven’t got anywhere to plant them in the ground, perhaps you could find room for a container of ‘Hestia’ beans. They are dwarf and stringless, providing lots of straight beans from a plant that stays shorter, at about 40-45cm at maturity, making them perfect to grow in a container or on a small plot.
Most full-sized runner bean
plants grow at speed upwards and when they reach the top of the support, they have nowhere to grow. Cutting back the leading shoots helps to keep the plant in check before it finishes growing vertically. Prepare the ground for the bean seeds, or plants that have been started indoors, by forking in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost if manure is unavailable. Runner beans like lots of nutrients in the soil, and plenty of sunshine. And keep them well watered, especially if we get another hot dry summer. Your reward will be green, buttery mountains of succulent beans.
There’s nothing better than a pile of freshly cooked beans with a knob of butter
Gardens from the Chelsea Flower Show 2007 – Life on Mars, Best in Show (main photo)
Go wild and let the lawn help nature
EVERY May, gardeners are asked to do something that goes against every gardening instinct they have – putting the mower away and leaving the lawn to get on with it.
No Mow May, launched in 2019, is the annual campaign run by conservation charity Plantlife.
The idea is to let grass and wildflowers grow uncut throughout May, giving bees, butterflies and other pollinators access to food at the point in the year they need it most.
Studies have found that unmown lawns can contain up to 10 times more flowering plants than cut ones, making the difference between a useful habitat and a green desert.
Gardeners don’t have to do all of it: Leaving a single strip or corner unmown counts. Pollinators are not looking for a nature reserve – even a patch of clover and a few dandelions will do. If the idea of an entirely unmown lawn feels like a step too far, start small and see how it goes.
The weeds are the point: Dandelions and clover are the plants most gardeners spend the year trying to remove but are exactly what No Mow May is about. They are among the best sources of nectar available to bees in early spring. Leaving them alone for a month is one of the most useful things a gardener can do.
Wildflower plugs can help if your lawn is mostly grass: A perfectly manicured lawn may have few flowering plants left in it. Introducing native wildflowers like oxeye daisy, birdsfoot trefoil and red clover are all good choices and can make a real difference.
Edging is worth leaving: The
strip of grass along a fence or wall is often the last thing people mow and the first thing they forget about. These thin margins are useful to wildlife because they are sheltered and undisturbed. Hedgehogs, ground beetles and solitary bees all use them, so leave this even if it does look unkempt, as it is a haven for wildlife.
A mown path makes it look intentional: If you are worried about what the neighbours might think, keeping a path cut through the longer grass signals that the lawn has not simply been abandoned. It also gives children and dogs somewhere to run without flattening everything, while letting nature take its course on other parts of your lawn.
Cut gradually when June comes: Going straight back to a short cut in June can stress the lawn and disturb anything living in it. Drop the mower height gradually over a couple of cuts rather than taking it all off at once.
What comes after May: For gardeners who want to carry on beyond the end of the month, the options are straightforward – a small wildlife pond, a log pile tucked into a corner or a border planted with lateflowering perennials can all extend the benefits well into autumn.
Dandelions are among the best sources of nectar available to bees in early spring
National Garden Scheme Dorset –Gardens open for charity in June
SPECIAL EVENTS
n SMEDMORE HOUSE, Kimmeridge BH20 5PG. Philip Mansel, www. smedmorehouse.com
Tuesday, June 9, 2pm-5pm. Admission £50, children free. Pre-booking essential, visit ngs. org.uk for information and booking. Home-made teas.
Two acres of romantically disordered gardens, including walled flower gardens, Mediterranean garden and herb courtyard. Extensive lawn on the side of the house with deep herbaceous borders including display of hydrangeas; interesting plants and shrubs. A giant Holm oak marks the path that takes visitors through woods and fields, past sphinxes, urns and obelisks and down to the sea at Kimmeridge Bay.
This event is hosted by renowned historian Philip Mansel. Philip and his gardener will give a talk and guided tour of the principal rooms of the house and areas of the garden.
NEW OPENINGS
n BLOXWORTH LODGE, Charborough Park, Wareham BH20 7EE. David and Emma Fletcher. Saturday, June 6, 11am-4pm. Admission £7, children free. Tea, coffee and cake.
A large garden with lawns and smaller garden areas surrounding the house. The gardens include a north-facing garden created three years ago, a small woodland garden, south-facing gravel gardens, wall-trained roses, an orchard, vegetable garden and a pool garden with roses. The gardens feature a naturalistic planting style with many areas to sit and enjoy the surroundings.
n WHITEMOOR FARM, Whitemoor, Holt, Wimborne BH21 7DA
Graham and Kim Bell. Sunday, June 7, 1pm-5pm. Admission £6, children free. Tea, coffee and cake served at cabin by pond.
About four-acre informal country garden, surrounded by ancient oaks and hedgerows. Range of mixed borders with mature shrubs, perennials, bulbs and grasses. Large ornamental pond within planting of Japanese maples contrasting with hot, dry areas. Mediterranean pool terrace, orchard, newly dug lake and small woodland area.
tubs and pots. Small patio and small fish pond with a dozen attractive shubunkins.
n THE TREEHOUSE, Merritown Lane, Hurn, Christchurch BH23 6DT. Francesca Potton, www. facebook.com/ diverseabilitiesplus Wednesday, June 17, 10am-4pm. Admission £5, children free. Tea, coffee and cake.
open at all times. Plant sales on NGS open days.
n HOLME FOR
GARDENS, West Holme Farm, Wareham BH20 6AQ. Simon Goldsack, 01929 554716, simon@holmefg. co.uk, www.holmefg.co.uk
DT2 9TW
n 3 PARK FARM CLOSE, Martinstown, Dorchester
Phil and Roelie Newman.
Sunday, June 14. Admission £5, children free. Home-made teas.
A quirky child-friendly one-acre garden with distinct sections. Lower section consists of a large-scale model canal with operational locks and a 1:20 model village. Visitors can operate boat and locks. The middle section has two large ponds surrounded by a ‘beach’ area, trees, shrubs and flower beds. The top section consists of a large wildflower maze and vegetable patch. Treasure trail for kids.
n 39 PERGIN CRESCENT,
Poole
BH17 7AL. Steve and Allison Mason.
Sunday, May 10, Sunday, June 14, 2pm-5pm. Admission £4, children free. Cream teas.
This 1950s property is on the outskirts of Poole with a front garden of about 850sq m and a rear garden of roughly 112sq m. Planting is mainly perennial to provide year-round interest. Two trees provide cover for the many birds that visit. More seasonal planting tends to be in
Fully accessible sensory garden is a tranquil haven for children and adults supported by Diverse Abilities. It features insect-loving plants, vibrant allium and echinacea, soft lamb’s ear and bunny tail grass, and fragrant, edible choices like lavender, creeping thyme and Salvia elegans, designed to delight every sense safely and beautifully. The garden is fully accessible in all areas.
EXISTING OPENINGS
n OAKDALE LIBRARY GARDENS, Wimborne Road, Poole BH15 3EF Oakdale Library Gardens Association, www.facebook. com/Oakdalelibrarygardens Saturday, June 6, 10am-1pm. Admission by donation. Light refreshments on NGS open days only.
Award-winning gardens comprising the ‘Bookerie’ Reading and Rhyme time garden where wildlife is welcomed with bee-friendly planting, an insect mansion and pond. Also a Commemorative Garden, a nautical-themed garden, herb garden and children’s adventure trail. Volunteers have designed and maintained the gardens. Featured in 111 places in Poole That You Shouldn’t Miss, by Katherine Bebo. The Bookerie is only open during Library opening hours. Other gardens
For NGS: Tuesday, June 9, 9am-5pm. Admission £8, children free. Light refreshments in the Orchard Café. For other opening times and information, phone, email or visit garden website. Donation to Plant Heritage. The award-winning Holme for Gardens is a family run treasure, with beautifully landscaped gardens, a wellstocked garden centre with friendly, knowledgeable staff, gift shop plus the light and airy Orchard Café and conservatory. The 15-acre garden delights visitors with bold landscape features, colourful borders and achieves a wide diversity of wildlife through floral diversity.
n KNITSON OLD FARMHOUSE, Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20
5JB. Rachel Helfer, 01929 421681, rjehelfer@gmail.com
Wednesday and Thursday, June 10-11, Combined admission with The Stables £8, children free. Hot and cold drinks, cakes, sweet/savoury pastries, cream teas available. Visits also by arrangement March to October for groups of up to 20.
Mature cottage garden nestled under chalk downland. Herbaceous borders, rockeries, climbers and shrubs, evolved and designed over 60 years for year-round colour. Wildlife friendly, sustainable kitchen garden, including 20-plus fruits for self-sufficiency. Historical stone artefacts, ancient trees and shrubs are part of the
integral design. Plants are selected for drought tolerance and hardiness. 100-plus shrubs, both new and some over 100 years old. Vegetables yearround sustain a healthy lifestyle. Points of historical interest include an ancient side-handled quern, Roman padstones and a 15th century farmhouse.
n THE STABLES, Knitson, Corfe Castle, Wareham BH20 5JB Rebecca Charron.
Wednesday and Thursday, June 10- 11. Combined admission with Knitson Old Farmhouse £8, children free. Home-made teas.
Much-loved garden planted in a contemporary style with deep borders filled with easy care colourful perennials interspersed with shrubs. The garden was established in 2016 on flat compacted sand that had been a horse dressage arena. The aim was to plant a garden full of flowers in a naturalistic style enabling it to fit into the surrounding landscape. The property also has a working kitchen garden. Wildflower and grass areas and a water storage pond at the top of the adjoining field. Small area of five-yearold planted trees on the north side of the garden.
n UTOPIA, Tincleton, Dorchester DT2 8QP. Nick and Sharon Spiller, 07970 971983, sharspiller@hotmail. co.uk
Home & Garden
Sunday, June 14, 1pm-5pm. Admission £6, children £4. Light refreshments. Visits also by arrangement May 29 to June 13 for groups of up to 20. About ½-acre of secluded, peaceful garden made up of several rooms inspired by different themes. Inspiration is taken from Mediterranean and Italian gardens, woodland space and water gardens. Seating is scattered throughout to enable visitors to sit and enjoy the different spaces and take advantage of both sun and shade.
n MUDDY PATCHES, West Street, Abbotsbury, Weymouth DT3 4JT. P Ellis, Muddypatches@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/ muddypatchesabbotsbury Saturday and Sunday, June 20- 21, 10am-4pm. Admission £4, children £2. Tea, coffee and cake.
A beautiful village garden set in glorious Dorset countryside with amazing views of the rolling hills and the historic St Catherine’s Chapel. Visitors can enjoy a stroll around the gardens and see the amazing range of native and tropical plants, explore the wildlife area, visit the fairies in their garden or enjoy a delicious lunch, cake or ice cream.
n ANNALAL’S GALLERY, 25 Millhams Street, Christchurch BH23 1DN. Anna and Lal
Sims, www.annasims.co.uk
Sunday, June 21, 2pm-4pm. Admission £3.50, children free. Enchanting 180-year-old cottage, home of two Royal Academy artists. 32ft x 12½ft garden on three patio levels. Pencil gate leads to colourful scented Victorian walled garden. Sculptures and paintings hide among the flowers and shrubs. Unusual studio and garden room. Mural of a life-size greyhound makes the cottage easy to find.
n ATHELHAMPTON HOUSE GARDENS, Athelhampton, Dorchester DT2 7LG Giles Keating, 01305 848363, hello@athelhampton.house, www.athelhampton.co.uk
Sunday, June 21, 10am-5pm. Admission £12.50, children free. Light refreshments in the Coach House at Athelhampton. Coffee, lunches and afternoon tea. Entry ticket is for the garden only.
The award-winning gardens at Athelhampton surround the Tudor manor house and date from 1891. The Great Court with 12 giant yew topiary pyramids is overlooked by two
terraced pavilions. This Grade I architectural garden is full of vistas with spectacular planting, ponds with fountains and the River Piddle flowing past.
n 20
WICKET ROAD
Kinson, Bournemouth
BH10 5LT. Carron Bowen – and Peter Hellawell.
Saturday and Sunday, June 27-28, 2pm-5pm. Admission £5, children free. Tea, coffee and cake.
Built around a modern terrace, this small suburban garden – just 18 x 13 metres – sits on an awkward-shaped plot, over a bed of clay. Set down from its neighbours, it developed a habit of flooding, but visitors would never know. ‘Borrow, hint, reveal, distract, attract, conceal’ – the design uses every trick in the gardening handbook to create a memorable space. Exhibition of the garden’s history, some unusual plants, a unique ‘quay’ – for storing run-off water as part of a hidden drainage system – and an array of small-scale features.
n Entries may be subject to change – for latest information check www.ngs. org.uk. Tickets can be purchased on the day – except for special events – or in advance via www.ngs.org
Holme for Gardens in Wareham and (left) Annalal’s Gallery in Christchurch
Business Law firm and orchestra in harmony
DORSET law firm Ellis Jones
Solicitors and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) have celebrated 10 years of harmonious partnership.
They marked the decade-long tie-up at a reception before the BSO’s latest ‘John Williams Blockbusters’ concert at Lighthouse, Poole.
The BSO’s chief executive, Dougie Scarfe OBE, presented Ellis Jones partner and joint head of family Deborah Leask with a crystal memento for the milestone.
Deborah, who is on the BSO’s board of trustees, said: “It is a privilege to support such an internationally acclaimed orchestra and registered arts charity which does so much vital work in the community.
“Our collaboration over the last 10 years has gone from strength to strength and it was wonderful to be able to
celebrate this through an evening of characteristically brilliant music from some of the finest musicians in the world.”
Deborah and Dougie gave speeches at the reception, which included 10 Ellis Jones staff members and their guests.
The Ellis Jones and BSO partnership aims to make a meaningful difference in the community through the power of music.
It gives the orchestra, and its musicians and staff, essential pro-bono legal advice which allows it to focus on its music and community engagement so it can serve its audiences and fulfil its charitable objectives
Dougie said: “The BSO exists to bring music into people’s lives – and, as a registered charity and touring organisation, we reach thousands of people each year both in the concert hall and
beyond, with world-class concerts and community-based events.
“We are incredibly grateful for Ellis Jones’ support with high-quality legal advice over the past 10 years, which has helped the way we run the business and charity and support our staff.”
Ellis Jones is a Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners ranked
law firm with 187 staff including 23 partners in eight offices in Dorset, Hampshire and London.
It is a strong supporter of community events, good causes and charities – including sports clubs, carnivals, fundraisers and armed forces veterans – through sponsorship, donations, volunteering and participation in events.
New faces on board at electricals retailer
CUSTOMERS at Dacombes of Wimborne are benefiting from over 200 years of combined experience, following a merger and the expansion of its team.
Wimborne’s longest established independent electrical retailer was founded more than a century ago.
Now the business has merged with Holmans of Wimborne, another family-run firm, bringing together almost 180 years of local trading and sales, product and technical expertise.
The merger has been strengthened by the arrival of three former Holmans employees.
Ben Todd, 35, joins as sales manager at Dacombes
showroom. Ben entered retail straight from school, working for Kirby Vacuums and domestic appliance specialist
Brian Dryden before gaining further experience at Curry’s in Bournemouth, where he became the store’s top sales adviser. He then spent 12 years with Holmans, rising to manager.
He said: “It’s great to continue to work for a business
Dacombes and Holmans of Wimborne have merged, with three former Holmans staff working in the new business
that genuinely cares about finding the right product for each customer, without call centres or hard selling.
“You can actually demonstrate appliances properly, so customers know exactly what they’re buying.”
Andy Palmer, 54, is joining the team as warehouse manager, overseeing stock management and customer deliveries. Andy
began his career with Rumbelows before spending more than 34 years at Holmans. He said: “Independent family businesses offer real career stability. This move feels like the perfect fit.”
Completing the trio is Jakob Malodabry, 27, a showroom assistant training to become an installer. He said: “I love the training and support. There’s always someone who knows the answer.”
Matt Renaut, managing director of Dacombes, said: “The merger has brought real continuity for customers and fantastic experience to the business. Our new team members have fitted in brilliantly.”
Ellis Jones Solicitors’ partner Deborah Leask and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) chief executive Dougie Scarfe
Court steps back in time at old coastal defences
MEMBERS of Portland’s Court Leet toured a historic gun emplacement guarding the island’s harbour and Weymouth bay.
Portland Port welcomed the party for the visit to the former East Weare Battery, which stands on a hillside within its estate.
The coastal defence was built in the mid-19th century and was armed until 1956 before being used for training by the Royal Navy.
Portland Port chief executive Bill Reeves said: “Members of the Court Leet expressed an interest in seeing the East Weare Battery, so we arranged a visit.
“It was a pleasure to host them and give them the opportunity to see the site in person and find out more about
Helping hand for foodbank
BREWERY and pub chain Hall & Woodhouse has announced the 22 Dorsetbased recipients of its 2025 Community Chest grants totalling more than £30,000.
The awarded grants form part of a wider £60,000 annual fund the company donates to communities across the south of England.
This year’s Community Chest Awards continued Hall & Woodhouse’s 24-year tradition of supporting volunteer-led organisations, helping causes that range from youth engagement to mental health services and food provision.
To date, the Community Chest has awarded £800,000plus to more than 900 organisations.
Weymouth Foodbank is one of this year’s charities to
its important role in the defence of our shores.”
Portland Port provided lunch and arranged for an Excelsior minibus to take the party to the site.
The Island and Royal Manor of Portland Court Leet traces its
receive a grant, having been awarded £2,200.
The foodbank is run entirely by volunteers and supports families, couples and single people living in the seaside town.
Weymouth Foodbank receives more than 100 referrals each week and provides food and essential supplies to roughly 13,000 people a year.
H&W’s grant allows Weymouth Foodbank to enhance its food parcels with the purchase of fresh produce including cheese, eggs and vegetables, as well as seasonal items such as tomatoes and cucumbers.
The H&W Community Chest is a crucial part of the company’s wider charitable activity and works in partnership with the Dorset and Community Foundation.
substantially to Portland charities.
Gerry Hinde, who is Crown local agent and bailiff of the Court Leet, said: “Our thanks go to Portland Port for a fascinating visit.
“The East Weare Battery forms part of the rich heritage of Portland and we are grateful for the opportunity to find out more about the role it played in defence of the island, harbour and sea lanes over many years.”
East Weare Battery features in Portland Port’s annual tours for the public during Dorset Architectural Heritage Week in September. Application details will be posted on the Portland Port website near the time.
origins back over 900 years.
Comprised of 24 volunteer Jury members, its mission is to protect the rights of commoners on the island and to preserve and protect more than 150 hectares of Crown common land. It also donates
Last year Portland Port donated a Victorian-era mark III rifled, muzzle loading (RML) 64 pounder for a major renovation of the High Angle Battery at New Ground.
The port is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year after succeeding the Royal Navy as owner of the site in 1996.
The 2026 Community Chest Awards launched on Thursday, May 14. Visit www.hall-woodhouse. co.uk for more information.
Members of Portland Court Leet at East Weare Battery on Portland
Drivers feel frustrated over ‘road closed’ signs
only 30% of drivers surveyed by the RAC said they always follow yellow diversion signs after seeing red ‘road ahead closed’ signs.
Looking at why drivers don’t follow diversions, seven-in-10 (70%) say they rely on their own local knowledge to find a better alternative, while 58% worry the diversion will take them miles out of their way and just over half (52%) state that they just follow their sat-nav.
Amid this lack of trust in ‘road ahead closed’ signage, motorists are hedging their bets.
Of those that don’t follow diversion signs, a significant proportion drive on in the hope the closed road isn’t the one they are currently on (34%), while others prefer to drive as far as possible to take another road off before reaching the closure (25%).
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Our research with drivers reveals very clearly that, as things stand, ‘road ahead closed’ signs are not fit for purpose.
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MORE than half of drivers (57%) believe red ‘road ahead closed’ signs are ‘uninformative’ when trying to understand the details of road closures they’re approaching, a new RAC poll has found.
The findings conclude that the common red and white ‘road ahead closed’ signs are missing key details, making them unhelpful to drivers and other road users.
“Simply stating ‘road ahead closed’ is too vague as it doesn’t give drivers enough information about the closures they’re approaching and is causing a lack of trust.
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Of those that find the signs uninformative, the most common reasons for confusion were that they don’t state which road is closed (60%), or how far ahead the road is closed (56%). Meanwhile, 15% don’t trust that the signage is up to date.
In light of the widespread confusion, an overwhelming 93% of all drivers that responded to the survey would be in favour of councils and their contractors providing more information about where closures are.
Despite the fact that ignoring traffic signs can lead to fines,
“Our findings also show that in many cases drivers aren’t taking official diversion routes, which could cause issues in terms of traffic flow and potentially lead to dangerous situations around essential maintenance works.
“Sat-navs can be useful for finding alternative routes, but they don’t get everything right and sometimes won’t pick up emergency closures.
“Drivers ought to be able to trust the signs they are supposed to follow, and it wouldn’t take a lot of effort to improve them.
“By including key information, such as which road is closed, and ideally for how long, drivers would surely have more trust in the signage and be less likely to ignore official advice.”
Nearly six out of 10 drivers think signs do not provide enough information
Art Deco lamp a standout lot
DUKE’S Auctioneers is inviting collectors and design enthusiasts to its upcoming Interiors & Design sale.
Thoughtfully curated, the auction celebrates character, craftsmanship, and timeless style, bringing together an eclectic selection of furniture, decorative arts, lighting and objects for the home.
A highlight of the sale is a striking Le Verre Francais –Schneider Glassworks – Art Deco polychrome art glass lamp, signed on the base, with the mushroom dome secured in place by three art metal lobed leaves.
Rich in colour and distinctly evocative of the Art Deco period, the lamp – pictured – is
estimated at £500-£1,000.
The sale is on Thursday, May 28 at 10.30am with public viewing on Tuesday, May 26, from 9.30am-5pm and Wednesday, May 27, from 9.30am-5pm.
There will be no viewing on Monday due to the Bank Holiday.
Whether seeking decorative statement pieces, practical design classics or unusual finds with enduring appeal, Duke’s Interiors & Design sale offers collectors the opportunity to discover objects of style, history and individuality.
Pearl perfection
by Amy Brenan, director of Heirlooms Jewellers,
21 South Street, Wareham
UNLIKE other gems, pearls, the birthstone for June, are formed naturally within molluscs, giving them a soft lustre and unique beauty that has captivated collectors and jewellery lovers throughout history. Natural pearls are the rarest and most valuable, formed entirely without human intervention, and they were highly prized in Georgian and Victorian jewellery.
colours.
Classic white and cream pearls remain timeless favourites, but pearls can also appear in soft pink, silver, gold, lavender, peach and even black shades.
Today, most pearls are cultured, meaning a small nucleus is introduced to encourage formation.
Cultured pearls can still be exceptionally beautiful and are widely used in fine jewellery. Pearls are also available in a surprisingly wide range of
Tahitian pearls are particularly admired for their darker tones, while South Sea pearls are often found in luxurious creamy white and rich golden colours.
Freshwater pearls are loved for their soft shapes and delicate appearance, while Akoya pearls are admired for their perfectly round form and mirror-like lustre.
Victorian jewellers frequently used seed pearls in mourning jewellery and intricate brooches, symbolising tears, purity and love.
Edwardian jewellery often
featured pearls combined with diamonds in delicate lace-like settings that reflected the elegance of the era, while the 1920s saw long pearl necklaces become synonymous with Art Deco glamour.
Baroque pearls are any pearls that aren’t a symmetrical shape.
The pearls you can see in the picture that we have in the shop
are delicious large baroque pearls that really make a statement!
Celebrities like Helen Mirren have been spied on the red carpet wearing these unique and luminous stones.
Today, antique pearl jewellery brings a timeless beauty and a sense of history to modern fashion.
RETIRED ANTIQUE DEALER, 200 items, reduced prices. Tel: 01202-622909
Baroque pearls are so called because they are not symmetrical
Le Verre Francais – Schneider Glassworks. An Art Deco polychrome art glass lamp on sale at Duke’s
Arts & Entertainment
Treasure trove of memories from theatre’s golden age
THE rich theatrical past of Bournemouth Pavilion is being brought vividly back to life thanks to a generous donation.
The venue, which celebrates its centenary in 2029, recently appealed for items to boost its growing archive and Poole resident Adrian Zakrzewski got in touch to give his late mother’s cherished collection of autograph books in her memory.
Lorna Hussey worked in Bournemouth Pavilion’s box office throughout the 1930s and into the post-war years, remaining at the venue until 1946.
Her role placed her at the heart of a golden age of live entertainment, when variety acts, comedians and music hall stars drew packed audiences to the iconic seaside theatre week after week.
“My mother loved the arts,” Adrian said. “She taught music and dancing to youngsters, played the piano, and enjoyed meeting all the different performers and visitors that came through Bournemouth Pavilion.”
Lorna left her role at Bournemouth Pavilion following her marriage to Adrian’s father.
Sadly, due to personal difficulties and the lasting impact of her experiences during the Second World War, she rarely spoke about her time working at the theatre. It was only years later, when
Adrian uncovered longforgotten boxes at her home, that the full story of her experiences began to emerge.
Inside were Lorna’s autograph books, beautifully preserved collections of handwritten messages, signed photographs and newspaper cuttings that together paint a vivid picture of life backstage during one of the most exciting periods in British entertainment history.
The pages chronicle a weekby-week record of famous names who appeared on the Pavilion stage, capturing the excitement of performers and audiences alike.
Among the most striking items are two large black-andwhite signed photographs of Gracie Fields, one of which is personally inscribed to Lorna.
Fields was one of Britain’s most popular entertainers of the 1930s. She began her career touring as a variety performer at local theatres such as Bournemouth Pavilion. By 1937, she was the highest paid British film star.
Fields’s first performance at Bournemouth Pavilion was in September 1934. She returned for three consecutive days of performances in September 1936.
These engagements were part of her regular work on the British variety circuit, where popular music hall and screen
Bournemouth Pavilion’s story means a great deal to me.”
stars would headline variety bills in seaside and regional theatres across the UK. Bournemouth Pavilion was firmly established as a key stop on that circuit.
Adrian donated his entire collection to the Pavilion Archive in memory of his mother, ensuring it is preserved professionally and made accessible for future generations.
“I’m very pleased that this collection has found a safe home back at the venue my mother loved so much,” he said.
“Knowing her memories will become part of
Every donated artefact adds to the story of a building that has entertained generations and continues to inspire pride in Bournemouth today.
Bournemouth Pavilion is owned by BCP Council and operated in partnership with registered charity and social enterprise BH Live.
On behalf of BH Live, Steve Turner, director of venues, said: “As we prepare to mark Bournemouth Pavilion’s centenary in 2029, contributions like this are incredibly meaningful.
“Adrian’s generous donation of his mother’s autograph books not only helps us preserve Bournemouth Pavilion’s rich history but also brings to life the personal stories and memories connected to the venue.
“We are deeply grateful to him for entrusting us with such a precious collection.”
Anyone who would like to contribute memories, memorabilia or artefacts to the Pavilion Archive is encouraged to get in touch with the team at pavilion.archive@bhlive.org. uk
Autograph of well-known Scottish actor Alastair Sim
Adrian Zakrzewski with a signed photograph of Gracie Fields and –inset – his mother, Lorna Hussey
Pride: ‘Colour, connection and inclusive fun’
POOLE Pride is back for 2026, promising an event that is “bright, beautiful and bursting with creativity in a joyful celebration of the beautiful identities that make up our community”.
The event is set to get underway at noon on Saturday, June 6, with organisers unveiling a line-up offering “a day of family-friendly entertainment celebrating LGBTQ+ culture in the arts”.
“Everyone is welcome –come as you are and dive into a day filled with colour, connection and inclusive fun,” a spokesperson said.
Clock in for laughter and iconic songs
WESSEX Musical Theatre is set to stage the ultimate feelgood musical comedy in Dorchester.
9 to 5 the Musical bursts with sass and style and features a score by country music legend Dolly Parton.
The show follows three office workers who’ve had enough of their overbearing, chauvinistic boss.
When a wild idea turns into a
Performances on the day, at Lighthouse Poole, include cabaret, live music and drag, as well as talks, a poetry slam, creative workshops, a silent disco and more.
Visitors can also explore stalls and organisations championing and supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
A programme in the outdoor theatre includes Jasmin Circus, Sing People Sing and Teddy Talks.
Entry to Poole Pride operates on a pay what you feel basis, but tickets are essential, granting access to the event as a whole,
with entry to individual events available on a first come, first served basis.
Performers include Lucid Cabaret, Oliver Clothezoff, Maddie Morris, Grace Savage and more.
For full details – including how to secure tickets to shows at Poole Pride 2026 – visit lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/ poole-pride-2026
daring plan for revenge, chaos, comedy and sisterhood take centre stage.
Performances at the Thomas
Cast members of 9 to 5 the Musical PHOTO: Jo
Hardye Theatre run from Wednesday to Saturday, May 27-30, at 7.30pm, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm
SWANAGE Drama Company and friends will present Another Night at The Mowlem this month.
The show follows A Night at The Mowlem in 2025 and aims to help raise £6,000 to do work on the venue’s curtains.
Another Night at The Mowlem will feature a variety of local talent including The Swanage School, ‘Mow-Town’ – a band made up of the more musical staff at The Mowlem, alongside Swanage Drama Company and Swanage Musical Theatre Company.
The show is on Friday, May 22, at 7.30pm.
Jam-packed ‘Big Weekend’ at The Mowlem
THE Mowlem in Swanage is set host its jam-packed first ever ‘Big Weekend’.
The event, supported by Dorset Council, is aimed at increasing access to the arts and culture in Purbeck.
It will feature workshops for families and young people,
and pop-up experiences for adults.
The event is on Saturday and Sunday, May 30-31, when The Mowlem will be open 10am-10pm both days.
Free entry to the ‘Big Weekend’ includes backstage tours at 10am and 2pm both
days and the Art Cafe in the Showbar, where visitors can make their own mini figure out of clay.
The Art Cafe will culminate in a community exhibition in the Studio on Sunday between 6pm-8pm.
Workshops in poetry, dance,
drawing, theatre, singing and beatbox are offered at a £5 donation to the Mowlem.
Opera in the auditorium on Saturday and a cinema screening on Sunday will be available at regular prices.
For a timetable of events, visit The Mowlem’s website.
Windel
One of the performers at Poole Pride at Lighthouse
Arts & Entertainment
Feast for lovers of literary great
EACH year on the weekend closest to Thomas Hardy’s birthday on June 2, The Thomas Hardy Society (THS) and other Dorchester groups organise a programme of activities to celebrate the world-renowned writer.
This year, to mark Thomas Hardy’s 186th birthday, a full line-up of Hardy-related activities is on offer from Friday to Sunday, May 29-31, which includes a birthday walk around Dorchester and ‘Hardy & Music’, an afternoon honouring Hardy’s life and works in relation to music.
Miranda Woodgate, THS secretary, said: “We strongly recommend those with a love of Wessex and its heritage to join us for this fun and friendly weekend. There are many enjoyable activities on offer to cater for most tastes. A warm welcome awaits existing members and those curious to find out more”.
The weekend starts on
NATIONAL Theatre
Live is at Lighthouse Poole with The Playboy of the Western World (12).
Nicola Coughlan –Bridgerton – joins Éanna Hardwicke – The Sixth
Friday evening with a lecture, ‘Comedy in Hardy’, delivered by THS chair and academic director, Mark Damon Chutter, at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
The birthday walk on Saturday will visit buildings used in Hardy’s novels and poetry, and end with a stroll through Dorchester’s Borough Gardens, providing a detailed
look at its Victorian attributes.
Another lecture on Saturday afternoon at the Shire Hall Museum will discuss Hardy’s time there as magistrate and Justice of the Peace.
The day’s events will culminate in a delightful exploration of ‘Hardy & Music’.
Hardy was deeply immersed in music from a young age, with his father and grandfather
playing in the Stinsford Church band, and Hardy himself playing the fiddle at just seven years old. This upbringing influenced his literature, with musical themes and folk songs appearing frequently in his works.
The musical events start with Dr Natalie Burton’s talk on ‘Raise a Hearty Tune: Hardy’s Poetry in Art Song’ and will be followed by ‘The Musical Heritage of Thomas Hardy’ by Bonny Sartin of The Yetties, and conclude with a fiddling finale, led by John Dike and friends.
Events continue through Sunday, with the Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair, when the THS joins town councillors for a procession to Hardy’s Statue to lay wreaths in remembrance of Hardy and Dorchester’s other literary giant, William Barnes.
The commemoration continues at St Michael’s Church, Stinsford, for a special Evensong at 6pm, followed by wreath-laying with readings at Hardy’s grave, and closing with a recital, `The Revolution of the Year: A Sequence of Words and Music’.
For the full itinerary and how to book, visit hardysociety.org/events
Commandment – and Siobhán McSweeney – Derry Girls – in John Millington Synge’s play about youth and self-discovery. Screenings are on Tuesday and Friday, June 2 and 5, at 7.30pm.
WILDLIFE artist L Paul Matthews is welcoming visitors and working on his latest paintings at his open studio over the next two weeks.
He will be at 23 High Street, Puddletown, Monday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am-5.30pm, from May 23 to June 7.
Family festival down by the riverside
MUSIC and much more is on offer to help kick off summer at Family Fest 2026 in Wimborne. The ninth festival, and sixth in Wimborne, is on 12 acres of scenic farmland alongside the River Stour from Friday to Sunday, May 29-31.
The event features acts including Lottie, Static Tandem, Yazadi, Harvey Glenn, Gracie Park, Hunters Moon and Layla Jurado.
Other activities include family crazy golf, Punch and Judy, Magic Jay, Junk Jodie,
BMX stunt shows, a petting farm and falconry displays. Plenty of food and drink will be on offer with Greek and Italian options, fish and chips, ice cream and a bar.
Rob Batson, founder of Family Fest, said: “2026 is our
biggest year yet with further enhancements on activities and shows included in tickets, a stronger live music schedule on the main stage, a new layout providing easier access to the festival site and the option to camp in the festival, too.”
Dr Natalie Burton will talk about Thomas Hardy and Music
Spotlight Diary
LOCKSMITH
Friday 5 June | 6 til 10pm
Book at diverseabilities.org.uk/countryroots
